Systema Ideale Pyrophylaciorum Subterraneorum, quorum montes Vulcanii, veluti spiracula quaedam exsufflant – after Athanasius Kircher – c.1900 Finely printed early 20th-century offset lithographic reproduction of Athanasius Kircher’s famous 17th-century engraving Systema Ideale Pyrophylaciorum Subterraneorum, quorum montes Vulcanii, veluti spiracula quaedam exsufflant, originally published in Mundus Subterraneus (Amsterdam, 1665). The image shows a cross-section of the Earth, depicting its central fire, subterranean magma channels, and volcanic vents — a visionary combination of early geology, volcanology, and natural philosophy. Issued as a supplement to the encyclopedic work L’Univers et l’Humanité, printed by Maison d’Édition Bong & Cie, Paris, circa 1900. Caption: “Coupe transversale de la terre montrant le feu central, les foyers latéraux et les volcans.” Condition: Very good; light age toning and minor edge wear. Central fold as issued. Reverse blank. A striking and historically significant scientific illustration — a 19th-century interpretation of the Earth’s fiery interior, after the Jesuit polymath Athanasius Kircher. Supplement to L’Univers et l’Humanité (Maison d’Édition Bong & Cie, Paris) Offset lithograph on paper Sheet size: 28 × 34 cm Image size: 22 × 26 cm Verso: Blank