An Atlas of Astronomy. A Series of Seventy-Two Plates with Introduction and Index

Ball, Sir Robert Stawell

Published by George Philip & Son, 32 Fleet Street, London, 1892

About this Item

Rare beautifully crafted nineteenth century volume. Large 7 1/2" x 8 1/2" design. 1892 at title page with Entered at Stationer's Hall, All Rights Reserved. Smooth navy buckram (cloth) boards, gilt embossed cover and spine titles, design, blind-stamped borders, moderate corner, edge wear, rub. Highly unique and ornate cover design featuring stylistic zodiac symbols surrounding titles among starry sky flourishes. Spine features three angelic figures holding up a crescent moon, the alpa and omega w/ribboned titles weaving through. Protected in thick clear sleeve. Thick heavy stock leaves generally very good w/moderate toning, fox. Dark bluish-green floral patterned endpapers. Gilt text block at all sides, some toning, discoloration. Book design begins with text, then the plates, followed by a seventeen page detailed index. Bind good, some cant. Near very good rarity of fine book craftsmanship and guide to the heavens. The 72 plates tipped onto bound in guards. Some tissue guards w/varying wear, crease. Plates consist of representations of the solar system and star maps. Antiquarian fountain pen inscription flourishing at front endpaper: "F. R. Wegg-Prosser, from his very affectionate son, Charles E. Wegg-Prosser. Christmas Day, 1893". Charles was a Lieutenant in the "Prince Consorts Own Rifle Brigade"; set in is a single-page print-out from The London Gazette of Oct. 29, 1889 stating that Lieutenant Charles Prosser "resigns his commission. Dated 30th, October 1889." Above this inscription is small red circular stamp: "St. Augustine's Abbey, Ramsgate". Abbey located in Kent, on the coast of southern England designed by the Victorian architect Augustus Pugin along with the church and his grange residence across street. Contents of Introduction: "I. The General Maps; II. The Solar Maps; III. The Lunar Maps; IV. The Monthly Maps; V. The Index of the Planets; VI. The Star Maps; VII. Select Telescopic Objects". Stated at final page: "George Phillip and Son, Printers, London and Liverpool". 57pp, 72 plates, 17pp of index. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.

Seller Inventory # 021706

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Atlas of Astronomy. A Series of Seventy-Two Plates with Introduction and Index
• Publisher: George Philip & Son, 32 Fleet Street, London
• Publication Date: 1892
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Good