{"product_id":"bayer-leo-constellation-c1603-hand-colored-gilt","title":"Bayer — Leo Constellation c.1603 (Hand-Colored \u0026 Gilt)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBayer — Leo Constellation c.1603 (Hand-Colored \u0026amp; Gilt)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeo — the Lion, one of the 12 zodiacal constellations — depicted in classical form with original hand-coloring and gilt star highlights. Leo contains Regulus (α Leonis, the \"Little King\"), one of the four royal stars of antiquity and a foundational reference for ancient astronomy and astrology. The hand-coloring and gilt star-highlights make this plate a particularly luxurious survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Our Bayer Virgo, Auriga, and Ursa Major plates for a matched constellation set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Johann Bayer (1572–1625)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohann Bayer was a German lawyer and astronomer working in Augsburg. His \u003cem\u003eUranometria\u003c\/em\u003e (Augsburg, 1603) was the first star atlas to cover the whole celestial sphere and introduced the \"Bayer designations\" — the system of labeling stars by Greek letter in order of brightness (α, β, γ...) that is still in use by professional astronomers today, four hundred years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Work\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUranometria omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata, aereis laminis expressa\u003c\/em\u003e contained 51 engraved star charts covering all 48 classical Ptolemaic constellations plus 12 new southern constellations derived from observations by Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. The atlas was reprinted in several later editions, but the original 1603 first-edition plates — especially in hand-colored and gilt condition — are the most prized by collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eScarcity \u0026amp; Market Context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete \u003cem\u003eUranometria\u003c\/em\u003e atlases have sold at Christie's and Sotheby's in the $80,000–$200,000+ range when they come to market (once every few years). Individual trophy plates — Ursa Major, Orion, Leo, Virgo — command premium prices when available with original hand-coloring and gilt star highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInstitutional Holdings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete copies of the \u003cem\u003eUranometria\u003c\/em\u003e are held by the Library of Congress, the Huntington Library, the British Library, the Bavarian State Library (Munich), and a handful of other major institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSheet approximately 15 × 11 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrame:\u003c\/strong\u003e This piece ships \u003cstrong\u003eunframed\u003c\/strong\u003e — the sheet or plate only. We can recommend framers in your area or ship to your preferred framer. Professional framing with archival materials typically runs $150–$400 depending on size and finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping Terms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping costs vary by product, packaging requirements, destination, carrier, and insurance value.\u003c\/strong\u003e We do not use flat-rate shipping because antique prints, maps, paintings, and books each require different packing — some ship flat between archival boards, some ship rolled, some require custom-built crates with shock absorption, and framed pieces need extra protection for glass and corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow our shipping process works:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou place your order (shipping is calculated as $0 at checkout)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe prepare a custom shipping quote for your destination — typically within 24 hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe contact you to confirm carrier options (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL), insurance value, and delivery timeline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce you approve the shipping quote, we send a separate invoice for shipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe pack with archival-grade materials and insure at full value\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions on shipping before you buy? Contact us with your zip code (or international address) and we'll provide a quote before you commit to purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Buyer Notice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese pieces are \u003cstrong\u003eantique originals\u003c\/strong\u003e, ranging from approximately 100 to over 400 years old. Each piece will show varying degrees of age-appropriate condition: paper toning, foxing, edge wear, fold marks, minor restoration, light staining, and other natural signs of age are common and expected for works of this period. Condition varies from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is the buyer's responsibility to confirm that the piece is in the condition they require before purchase.\u003c\/strong\u003e We are always happy to answer any questions about the state of the work, provide additional photographs of specific areas, describe any flaws or repairs in detail, or arrange a video review before you buy. Please contact us at any time with questions — we believe an informed buyer is the best customer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll pieces are guaranteed \u003cstrong\u003eauthentic originals\u003c\/strong\u003e (not reproductions, facsimiles, or modern prints). We offer a full refund if authenticity is ever disputed by a qualified third party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EldrickCo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43253387133017,"sku":"EC-BAY-0004","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/3089\/3657\/files\/bayer-leo-constellation-c1603-hand-colored-gilt.jpg?v=1776986971","url":"https:\/\/eldrickco.com\/products\/bayer-leo-constellation-c1603-hand-colored-gilt","provider":"Eldrick LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}