The Radcliffe Catalogue of 6317 Stars, Chiefly Circumpolar, Radcliffe Observatory, Manuel John Johnson, Robert Main, Oxford, 1860

The Radcliffe Catalogue of 6317 Stars (Oxford, 1860) is a landmark nineteenth-century astronomical reference, recording the precise positions of circumpolar stars as observed at the Radcliffe Observatory in Oxford. Compiled under the supervision of Manuel John Johnson (1805-1859), Radcliffe Observer from 1839 until his death, the catalogue reflects years of meticulous observation and reduction to the epoch 1845.0. It was issued posthumously with an introduction by his successor, the Rev. Robert Main, and became a key tool for positional astronomy in the mid-Victorian era. The work exemplifies the transition towards increasingly systematic and accurate stellar cataloguing, preceding the great national and international catalogues of the later nineteenth century.

The Radcliffe Catalogue of 6317 Stars, Chiefly Circumpolar,  reduced to the epoch 1845.0; formed from the observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, under the supervision of Manuel John Johnson, M.A., Late Radcliffe Observer. With an Introduction by the Rev. Robert Main, M.A., Radcliffe Observer.

Published by order of the Radcliffe Trustees, J.H. and Jas. Parker, 1860, Oxford. First edition.

A good cloth covered hardback. with wear, fading and rubbing, with spine lightened by the sun. Gilt title to spine. Plain yellow endpapers and first and last few pages at either end of the book with foxed spotting. 

The main body of the text of both books is in good condition - nice and clear, with some occasional light scattered spotting. Some spotting to edge of text block. Many top edges still uncut.

Now an uncommon book in commerce.

Text in English.

xiii + 363pp.

Dimensions: Approximately 259mm high x 168mm wide x 36mm deep.

Weight: Approximately 1030g.