Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Kilburn
Complete Set of Bevis Star Charts of the Signs of the Zodiac in Early Color
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from MapSeeker
Complete Set of Bevis Star Charts of the Signs of the Zodiac in Early Color
Quite possibly the only surviving separately published set of 12 star charts of the signs of the Zodiac, published by John Bevis.
These extremely charts were compiled by Bevis, an eighteenth century physician-turned astronomer, whose other claim to fame is as the discoverer of the Crab Nebula,
The present set is believed to be the only known separately issued complete set, according to Kevin Kilburn of the Royal Astronomical Society (London). Beviss complete work is extremely rare. Plates were also sold individually, this being perhaps the largest known collection of the separate plates in private hands.
The Uranographia
Historians of astronomy name four great celestial atlases: Bayer s, Hevelius s, Flamsteed s, and Bode s. To this, they add one great work that could have been: Beviss Uranographia.
John Bevis was an Oxford trained physician and amateur astronomer, who is perhaps best known for his discovery of the Crab Nebula in 1731, 27 years before Charles Messiers re-discovery. Bevis set up a private observatory in North London in 1738, where he made observations, which led to his attempt to create the second British Celestial Atlas. In the mid 18th Century, Bevis produced his Uranographia Britannica, which was the first major celestial atlas published after the posthumous publication of the Atlas of John Flamsteed, Englands first Royal Astronomer.
Although many astronomers praised the Flamsteed atlas for its accuracy, others were unhappy with the unwieldy size and inelegant plates. This dissatisfaction resulted in John Beviss decision to base his work on Bayers Uranometria, rather than Flamsteeds work. Bevis succeeded in having the plates engraved for his atlas with the assistance of publisher John Neale, but Neales bankruptcy prevented publication of the Atlas, although a star catalog was printed.
Careful cross-referencing of the dedications on each work allows the date for the creation of the plates to be constrained to between 1747-1749. By comparing the titles suggested in the work to Royal Society and clergy records, upper and lower bounds of the date of creation can be made.
When one compares the Bevis atlas to Bayers Uranometria, it is apparent that Bevis followed the plan of the Bayer atlas exactly. There are the same number of plates, of the same size, and each covers the same area of the sky. The constellation figures are also stylistically identical. But the two are not the same. Bevis has more stars, and more accurate positions for those stars. He also took pains to include the many new or variable stars that had been recently discovered, as well as the nebulous objects. There are in fact nine Messier objects on the Bevis charts (including M1, which Bevis discovered), and five of them had never before appeared in a star atlas.
ZOD013
Welcome to the Mapseeker Image library and enter an historic gateway to one of the largest on-line collections of Historic Maps, Nostalgic Views, Vista's and Panorama's from a World gone by.
Media ID 25588679
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Crustaceans
> Crab
> Arts
> Artists
> P
> those present
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Politics
> John Major
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Royalty
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Kilburn
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> New Cross
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Welling
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Transport
> Railway
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Oxford
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Wells
> MapSeeker
> Astronomy, Celestial and Star Charts
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a complete set of Bevis Star Charts of the Signs of the Zodiac in early color. These rare and remarkable charts were compiled by John Bevis, an eighteenth-century physician-turned-astronomer who is renowned for his discovery of the Crab Nebula. Considered to be possibly the only surviving separately published set of 12 star charts, this collection holds immense historical significance. According to Kevin Kilburn from the Royal Astronomical Society (London), this particular set is believed to be the sole known complete set that was issued separately. It is also worth noting that Bevis's comprehensive work is incredibly scarce, making this assemblage even more extraordinary. While individual plates were sold independently, it is thought that this compilation represents one of the largest private collections containing these separate plates. Bevis's Uranographia stands among four great celestial atlases recognized by historians: Bayer's, Hevelius's, Flamsteed's, and Bode's. However, it should be noted that Bevis’s Uranographia could have been considered another significant addition had it been published. John Bevis established a private observatory in North London in 1738 after discovering the Crab Nebula three decades before Charles Messier made his rediscovery. In his attempt to create a second British Celestial Atlas following John Flamsteed’s posthumous publication, he produced Uranographia Britannica—the first major celestial atlas after Flamsteed’s work. While some astronomers praised Flamsteed’s accuracy but criticized its unwieldy size and inelegant plates, Bevis decided to base his work on Bayer’s Uranometria instead. The result was an atlas with identical structure and constellation figures but with more stars and accurate positions than Bayer’s original masterpiece. The inclusion of newly discovered or variable stars as well as nebulous objects sets Bevis apart from previous star atlases. Notably, nine Messier objects, including M1 (which Bevis himself discovered), are featured in
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
