Astronomy, Diagram, Solar System, Smith’s Astronomy, Antique Prints, American, Mid 19th Century

Description In his Preface, Smith, the Principal of Public School No. 12, located at 17th Street and Eighth Avenue in New York City, explained that the purpose of this series was “to present all distinguishing principles in physical Astronomy with as few words as possible; but with such ocular demonstrations, by way of diagrams and maps, as shall make the subject easily understood.”  He also noted that “[t]he Diagrams, which are larger and more full than those of any other work adapted to common schools, are many of them original in their design.”  Smith further stated that the creation of Smiths Astronomy “occupied the whole of his spare time for nearly three years; the most laborious part of it being the drawing of the diagrams, &c. on wood, ready for the tool of the engraver which was done by the Author himself.”  In other words, Smith created and drew each print on a woodblock, and then a specialist wood engraver engraved the images into the wood for printing. Titles of prints: Saturn The Seasons Tides Signs of the Zodiac Eclipses of the Sun and Moon (2 different prints) Definitions Mars, Asteroids & Jupiter Phases of the Moon Orbits of the Planets [Classroom Lesson with Orrery] Terrestrial & Celestial Globes Refraction, Parallax, Light & Heat Moons Nodes Eclipses &c. Mercury & Venus Jupiter Herschel or Uranus, & Leverrier or Neptune Uranus & Neptune Greatest Number of Eclipses in One Year [Comets] Aerolites, Meteors &c. Solar System Telescopic View of the Full Moon Condition:  Each generally very good with light toning, wear, handling. Margins irregularly sized on some, as issued.  Few with repaired short marginal tears.