Barritt-Serviss celestial planisphere, 40°N
Date: 1906
Inventory Number: DW0650
Classification: Planisphere
Subject:
Maker: Leon Barritt (1852 - 1938)
Maker: Garrett P. Serviss (1851 - 1929)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
2 x 38 x 38 cm (13/16 x 14 15/16 x 14 15/16 in.)
Accessories: 1937 booklet in file
DescriptionThe celestial planisphere consists of a celestial map mounted on a disk that rotates within a square frame of cardboard and wood. There is an oval opening to view the map, and cut-out windows to see the days on the civil calendar and degrees of the zodiacal calendar.
The map projection is for a latitude of 40°N. Stars to the 4th magnitude are indicated in white dots on a black background. Also shown are constellations as connected lines and dots. The eclipted is marked in red and divided every degree from 0-360°. Planets, Sun, and Moon are indicated by thumbtacks. (Uranus is missing.) The present location of these heavenly bodies on the planisphere are far, far off the ecliptic in places they would never naturally be.
The limb of the rotating disk shows hours I-XXIV and degrees 0-360°. The limb of the frame (inside the windows) shows hours 1-12 twice marked AM and PM.
The frame is printed with instructions for use of the planisphere. Six of the brass tacks that hold the frame together are loose, and two are missing.
The booklet, Planetary Tables, Moon Phases, and the Sun's Daily Position, which typically accompanied the instrument, is missing.
The map projection is for a latitude of 40°N. Stars to the 4th magnitude are indicated in white dots on a black background. Also shown are constellations as connected lines and dots. The eclipted is marked in red and divided every degree from 0-360°. Planets, Sun, and Moon are indicated by thumbtacks. (Uranus is missing.) The present location of these heavenly bodies on the planisphere are far, far off the ecliptic in places they would never naturally be.
The limb of the rotating disk shows hours I-XXIV and degrees 0-360°. The limb of the frame (inside the windows) shows hours 1-12 twice marked AM and PM.
The frame is printed with instructions for use of the planisphere. Six of the brass tacks that hold the frame together are loose, and two are missing.
The booklet, Planetary Tables, Moon Phases, and the Sun's Daily Position, which typically accompanied the instrument, is missing.
Signedin bottom corner of frame: COPYRIGHTED, 1906, / BY / LEON BARRITT, / PUBLISHER, / NEW YORK CITY.
above oval window: THE BARRITT-SERVISS / STAR AND PLANET / FINDER / NORTHERN HEMISPHERE/ COLLABORATED BY LEON BARRITT AND GARRETT P. SERVISS.
above oval window: THE BARRITT-SERVISS / STAR AND PLANET / FINDER / NORTHERN HEMISPHERE/ COLLABORATED BY LEON BARRITT AND GARRETT P. SERVISS.
Inscribedin top corner of frame: THE / HEAVENS / WITHOUT / A TELESCOPE. / THE ONLY PRACTICAL COMBINATION / STAR, PLANET, AND SUN AND MOON MAP.
along lower limb of planisphere: U.S. PATENT OCT. 2, 1906, BY LEON BARRITT. PATENTS APPLIED FOR IN ENGLAND, GERMANY, FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
along lower limb of planisphere: U.S. PATENT OCT. 2, 1906, BY LEON BARRITT. PATENTS APPLIED FOR IN ENGLAND, GERMANY, FRANCE AND BELGIUM.
FunctionFor finding the position of stars and planets and demonstrating their rising and settings, and for use as an aid to stargazing.
Curatorial RemarksA booklet associated with the instrument, Constellations was prepared by the Department of Astronomy of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. A copy of the 2nd edition,1937 is in the instrument's file.
ProvenanceRichard Wheatland; David P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1935; gift to CHSI,