Prefac to Second Edition -- Foreword to First Edition -- Preface to First Edition -- Acknowledgments -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- List of abbreviations and acronyms -- Chapter 1: What is a star map? -- Chapter 2: Non-European cosmology and constellation development -- Chapter 3: European Cosmology -- Chapter 4: European constellation development -- Chapter 5: Early European star maps -- Chapter 6: The "Big Four" of the Golden Age of pictorial star maps -- Chapter 7: Other important star maps of the Golden Age -- Chapter 8: Special topics -- Chapter 9: Mapping the stars in early America -- Chapter 10: The transition to non-pictorial star maps -- Chapter 11: Color Plate Gallery.- Appendices -- Appendix A: Collecting celestial maps and prints -- Appendix B: Supplementary reference catalog -- Appendix C: Indices of major constellation atlases -- Appendix D: The British Library "Kings's" edition -- Appendix E: Glossary -- Index.

Star Maps captures the beauty and awe of the heavens through celestial prints and star atlases. It traces the history of celestial cartography and relates this history to the changing ideas of humanity's place in the universe. The text of this Second Edition is enriched with 263 photographs, 91 in color, showing images from actual antiquarian celestial books and atlases, each one with an explanation of its astronomical and cartographic features. This new edition of Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography includes: - over 50 new pages of text and 44 new images (16 in color) - completely new sections on celestial frontispieces, deep-sky objects, playing card maps, additional cartographers, and modern computerized star maps - updated figures and text about celestial globes, volvelles, telescopes, and planets and asteroids - revised and updated text and illustrations throughout. The book focuses on the development of celestial cartography from ancient to modern times and describes the relationships between different star maps and atlases. It demonstrates contemporary cosmological ideas, constellation representations, and cartographic advances. Uniquely, it contains material on early American influences and non-European constellation representations. This book is a must-have reference for anyone interested in the workings of the heavens.