FLAMSTEED, John (1649-1719). Atlas céleste. Paris: F.G. Deschamps, 1776.

Elegant small French edition of Flamsteed, the first revised edition, edited by J. Fortin under the aegis of the Académie Royale des Sciences. Stated second edition. "In 1776, the French globe maker Jean Fortin (1750–1831?) produced the first revision of Flamsteed’s atlas, increasing the number of charts, improving the aesthetic appeal of Flamsteed’s original figures, and reducing the size of the volume dramatically." Hammond, p. 81.

Quarto (222 x 162mm). With 30 double-page engraved star maps on guards (spotting, particularly to text and to first few plates). Contemporary paste-paper boards (rebacked in modern calf, worn, few tears to endpapers). Provenance: few early manuscript notes to list of engravings – Alfred N. Pray (ownership stamp on front free endpaper). Custom clamshell box.