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Description

The Earliest Eclipse Map Published in the United States.

Scarce double page map of the Eclipse of 1831, which appeared in the American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1831.  

The map shows the path of the solar eclipse as it traversed the United States, during a period when celestial phenomena were eagerly anticipated and publicized. This map highlights the route of the eclipse and provides geographical context by depicting towns, cities, rivers, mountain ranges, and the locations of Native American tribes, reflecting the broader geographic and cultural landscape of the early 19th-century United States.  

The eclipse was widely publicized by almanac makers and the press, creating high public expectations for a dramatic celestial event. However, the event failed to deliver the anticipated spectacle, as it did not visibly shroud the country in darkness.  

The Eclipse of 1831 and Nat Turner's Rebellion

The solar eclipse of 1831, occurring on February 12, was a significant astronomical event across the United States, observed widely due to its path of visibility across the country. This eclipse is noted for its scientific interest at the time, being recorded in various newspapers and scientific publications. It provided an opportunity for Americans to engage with and contribute to astronomical observations. Additionally, the eclipse holds a place in American history due to its association with Nat Turner's rebellion. Turner, an enslaved African American preacher, reportedly saw the eclipse as a sign to start his rebellion against slavery.

Editions

An update of the map was issued for the Eclipse of 1834.