An attractive copy of an uncommon work. Often incomplete this example lacks just one plate, and as is most desirable is complete with the volvelles intact. Armao described this work as the prototype of the modern handbook in physical, natural and political geography. Some of the plates illustrating globes include examples of Coronelli’s early large ones, not all of which have survived, for example the Farnese manuscript globes of c.1679. At the end of the work is a list of the members of the famous ‘Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti’. It lists the corresponding members in Venice, Paris, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Siena, Sicily, England, Poland and Germany. This work is predominantly an expansion of lectures Coronelli gave before the Accademia Cosmografica and is divided into three books. The first is on astronomy and the points of the compass. The second deals with the geography of the countries of the world and natural phenomena such as earthquakes. The last book concerns the globes, armillary spheres and astrolabes made by Coronelli and others. Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650-1718) was a Franciscan Friar and the founder of the first Geographical Society. He was an active cartographer, cosmographer, globe maker, author, inventor and engineer, and teacher. Born in Ravenna in 1650 at the age of 15 he entered the Franciscan Order in which he would become Gran Generale in 1699. As he became more interested in cartography he developed an extensive correspondence network around Europe. In 1681 he famously went to Paris to produce 2 four metre globes for Louis XIV which still survive to this day. In 1685 he was made Cosmographer to the Venetian Republic and began teaching geography founding the ‘Academia Cosmographica degli Argonauti’ in 1688, the world’s first geographical society. He single handedly brought back Italy’s reputation in the field of cartography. His style of engraving is very distinctive and displays detail without being too busy, it is very attractive to the eye. Arguably his most famous publication was the ‘Atlante Veneto’ in 1691. Houzeau & Lancaster 8006; Nordenskiold 57; Riccardi i, 374-5.