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This late 19th-century print, titled The Solar System, presents an elaborate depiction of the heliocentric arrangement of planets around the Sun.
The image is decoratived with flourishes typical of Victorian-era scientific illustrations. At the top of the diagram, an allegorical figure—possibly representing Father Time or Saturn—sits with a scythe, gazing over the cosmic design. The figure’s classical appearance evokes themes of time and celestial order, common in 19th-century astronomical imagery.
The central focus of the print is the solar system itself, with the Sun at the center, radiating outwards in concentric orbits displaying the positions of the planets, moons, and asteroids. Each planet is shown on its elliptical path, with corresponding distances from the Sun and their relative sizes indicated. A table in the upper center provides detailed information about the planets, including diameter, distance from the Sun, length of the year, and the duration of their sidereal revolutions.
The surrounding illustrations focus on different coins of the world
The text at the bottom provides detailed explanations about the Sun, the planets, and their orbits, using Victorian-era astronomical understanding. Notably, Uranus and Neptune are referenced, with the discovery of Uranus in 1781 by William Herschel noted, as well as Neptune's identification in 1846. Overall, the print combines scientific information with an artistic flourish, reflecting the popular interest in astronomy during the late 19th century.
![[ Ursa Major / Leo Minor ]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/106574.jpg)
![[ Pegasus / Delphinus / Equuleus ]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/106570.jpg)
![Globi Coelestis In Tabulas Planas Redacti Pars IV . . . [Virgo, Leo, Hydra, Libra etc.]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/108064.jpg)
![[January, February & March Sky -- Cancer, Perseus, Gemini, Taurus, Orion, Monceros, Canis Major, Lepus, Argo Navis, Hydra, Perseus, Lynx, etc.]11](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/82763.jpg)
