A COMPENDIUM OF ASTRONOMY; CONTAINING THE ELEMENTS OF THE SCIENCE, FAMILIARLY EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED, WITH THE LATEST DISCOVERIES. ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES, AND OF THE GENERAL READER
1844 · New York
by Olmsted, Denison
New York: Collins, Brother and Co., 1844. vi,276pp. including in-text illustrations, plus 4pp. of ads bound in at front. Frontispiece. Contemporary calf, spine ruled in gilt, gilt morocco label. Worn at spine ends and corners, old staining on lower edge of front board. Contemporary manuscript notes on front and rear endpapers. Occasional light foxing. Very good. Sixth edition, first published in 1839. Denison Olmsted was a leading physicist and astronomer, teaching at both the University of North Carolina and at Yale (his alma mater). He was a prolific author, primarily on astronomy and natural philosophy, and this was one of his most popular works, intended as a general reader for advanced students and an up-to-date summation of the latest discoveries in astronomy. Included are chapters on eclipses, tides, astronomical instruments, temporary stars, fixed stars, and more. The attractive frontispiece shows a full moon and a five day waxing moon. AMERICAN IMPRINTS 44-4719 (Inventory #: WRCAM54986)