1754 Gabriel Ramirez Map of the Stars and Constellations of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

This is a rare and desirable 1754 set of two celestial maps or charts depicting the stars and constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres by Gabriel Ramirez. Printed on two sheets each, the two charts were drawn to illustrate the geography of the Heavens, and represent the night sky and constellations of the northern and southern hemisphere respectively. Constellations are drawn in detail and include depictions of the Zodiacal figures the stars are said to represent.

The map of the northern hemisphere (image left) depicts Cancer, Gemini, Orion, Cassiopeia (the W), La Ursa Major (Great Bear or Big Dipper), La Ursa Menor (the Little Bear or Little Dipper), el Dragon (the Dragon), Perseo, and several others. The Polar Star is also noted. The map of the southern hemisphere (image right) includes La Hydra (the Snake), El Pabo (the Peacock), El Centauro (the Centaur), Sagitario (the Archer), and others. Both maps also note the ecliptic pole.

Originally prepared in French by Abbot M. Pluche and translated into Castilian Spanish. Engraved by Juan de la Pena for publication in Volume VII, Part 4 of D. Gabriel Ramirez's Espectaculo de la Naturaleza, O Conversaciones a Cerca de Las Particularidades de la Historia Natural.