DE FER, N. - Veue septentrionale de l'Observatoire, de Paris [together with] Fasade merdionale de l'Observatoire, de Paris.

Engraved view of the Observatoire de Paris, with a plan of the differents floors of the building, together with an engraved text page, from Nicolas de Fer's "L'Atlas curieux ou le Monde réprésente dans des cartes. ". In lower part figures symbolizing mapmaking and architecture.

The "Atlas Curieux" is a geographic encyclopedia of images and a celebration of the French Empire under the Sun King, with maps of French possessions in the western hemisphere, maps of France, with detailed views of the grand waterworks at Marly, views of the great palaces and châteaux, views and plans of the Paris Observatory, and samples of military architecture. Issued in six annual parts from 1700-1705, the maps are based on the new observations of the Académie des Sciences, and drawn up with the assistance of Philipe de La Hire.