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From The First American Celestial Atlas
This celestial map, part of Anthony Finley’s First American Celestial Atlas, highlights the constellations Pegasus, Equuleus, and Delphinus. Published in 1825, this atlas is celebrated as the first American work to present hand-colored astronomical charts, reflecting the growing interest in astronomy in the United States during the early 19th century. Finley’s charts were based on the celestial positions and constellations as depicted in Johann Elert Bode’s Uranographia of 1801, a foundational reference in celestial cartography.
Pegasus
The constellation Pegasus, one of the most recognizable formations in the night sky, is depicted with careful attention to its prominent stars, including the Great Square of Pegasus. Rooted in Greek mythology, Pegasus represents the winged horse born from the blood of Medusa. Finley’s portrayal emphasizes its importance as a marker for autumnal observations, guiding astronomers to adjacent constellations in the northern hemisphere.
Equuleus
Equuleus, the "Little Horse," is one of the smallest and oldest recognized constellations. Positioned near Pegasus, it represents the foal Celeris, a lesser-known mythological horse associated with the gods. Despite its faint stars, Finley includes Equuleus with precision, demonstrating the thoroughness of Bode’s earlier work. Its inclusion highlights the care given to even the more obscure constellations in this pioneering American atlas.
Delphinus
Delphinus, the Dolphin, is elegantly drawn with its distinctive diamond-shaped configuration. The constellation has long been associated with the myth of Arion, a musician rescued by a dolphin sent by Poseidon. Finley’s rendering captures the graceful simplicity of this constellation, which has been a staple in both artistic and astronomical traditions.
Rarity
The map is rare on the market. This is the first example we have offered for sale.
Anthony Finley (1784-1836) was an American map publisher. Little is known about his life. He is presumed to have been born in Philadelphia, where he also died. A publisher, Finley was also involved in several Philadelphia civic and professional societies such as the Philadelphia Apprentices’ Library. He may have been in business as early as 1809 and his first publication dates from ca. 1811.
His first maps also date from this year, with two maps in Daniel Edward Clarke’s Travels in Various Countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The first atlas published by Finley appeared in 1818, the Atlas classica, or, Select maps of ancient geography, both sacred and profane, for the use of colleges and schools in the United States. He is best known for his A New General Atlas Comprising a Complete Set of Maps (1824), which was a bestseller. There were two editions in 1824, with annual editions until 1834.
Finley was part of the first generation of American publishers who produced high quality, precise maps on American soil. He was in competition with other Philadelphia publishers, for example Henry S. Tanner. Finley’s A New American Atlas Designed Principally to Illustrate the Geography of the United States of America (1826) closely mirrors Tanner’s A New American Atlas Containing Maps of the Several States of the North American Union, with similar groupings of maps; the main difference is the smaller scale of Finley’s maps. Finley printed two editions of this atlas.
