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A portable device designed to aid the student or amateur astronomer in their study of stars and constellations visible in the night sky, this elegant planisphere was evidently imported and sold by the Boston School Supply Co. The inner disk, showing the stars linked by straight lines into labeled constellations, rotates inside a gold-stamped mount with an elliptical cutout. The “Explanation,” printed on blue paper mounted to the verso, instructs: “To find that part of the Heavens visible at any state time, revolve the movable disc till the day of the month, marked upon its edge, corresponds with the time of day or night figured upon the leather disc…In order to see the stars indicated on this Planisphere in their proper relation to the actual Horizon, hold the Planisphere above you, face downwards, so that the title comes on the side away from you. The Pole Star will then be seen at its proper altitude of 51 ½°, with the Eastern and Western Horizons respectively to the right and left.” A list, with prices, of “Philips’ Popular Astronomical & Geographical Aids” is printed below. The later version of Philips’ planisphere appeared in 1905, with the title stamped in five straight lines below the cutout, rather than, as here, in four curving lines above.
George Philip & Son was founded in Liverpool in 1834 by George Philip Sr. (1800–1882), after he had spent many years in the employ of William Grapel, a bookseller and printer. Working with cartographers John Bartholomew Sr., William Hughes, and August Petermann, the firm published educational materials, and became increasingly successful. It was renamed in 1848, when George Philip Jr. (1823–1902) joined the business. Upon George Philip Jr.’s death in 1902, the firm began manufacturing globes, and founded the London Geographical Institute—not an institute at all, but a related company—the same year, although it continued to publish as George Philip & Son, as well.
Missing part of inner circle, see pics.
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