The Constellations and How to Find Them William Peck c1900 Astronomy Maps
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Title: The Constellations And How To Find Them
Author: William Peck, F.R.A.S.
Publisher: Gall and Inglis, London and Edinburgh
Probable Date: Circa 1878–1909
Format: Illustrated astronomy guide with constellation maps
 
Published from the Gall & Inglis addresses:
25 Paternoster Square, London 
20 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh 
 
These publisher addresses date this edition to between approximately 1878 and 1909. An included newspaper cutting dated either 1901 or 1907 suggests this copy was in use during the late Victorian or early Edwardian period.
 
The precise first publication date has not been conclusively established. While earlier editions likely existed, this appears to be an early British Gall & Inglis issue.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
This attractive astronomy guide was designed to introduce readers to the night sky through practical constellation maps and accessible astronomical explanations.
 
The work combines:
monthly constellation charts 
planetary explanations 
meteor observations 
Milky Way discussions 
astronomical diagrams 
with practical guidance for amateur sky observation.
 
Books such as this formed part of the growing late Victorian interest in popular science and domestic astronomy, helping make celestial observation accessible to the wider public.
 
About the Author
William Peck was a Scottish astronomer best known for directing the Edinburgh City Observatory.
 
Illustrations & Contents
Illustrated throughout with astronomical diagrams, charts, and monthly star maps, including:
frontispiece photograph of the Moon by the author 
polar constellation plates 
diagrams of meteors and the Milky Way 
monthly constellation maps 
 
The title page states “13 Maps,” though the contents page lists 12 maps, which are all present in this copy.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Paper-covered boards with green cloth spine.
The front board features decorative borders, an illustration titled The Southern Sky in January, and the original printed price of 2/6. The rear board bears the publisher’s emblem.
 
The binding remains intact and robust with age-related wear including:
stains and foxing 
marks 
bumping and rubbing to corners 
light fading 
light scratches and rubbing 
Overall, the book presents attractively for an early practical astronomy work.
 
Interior Condition
Pages are very lightly tanned and generally clean with only very occasional light marks or stains not affecting text or illustrations.
 
The pages are largely uncreased with no writing or tears noted. All 28 pages are present and secure. There is only a very light gutter crack between pages 8 and 9.
 
Included with the book is an original newspaper cutting from The Lancet General Advertiser, dated either June 15th 1901 or 1907, discussing historical zodiacal and astrological beliefs. This surviving period ephemera adds additional historical interest.
 
Physical Details
Pages: 28
Dimensions: Approximately 26.8 cm x 21.3 cm x 1 cm
Weight: Approximately 392 g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
Early Gall & Inglis astronomy guides are increasingly difficult to find in original paper-covered boards and complete condition.
 
This copy is particularly desirable for:
original publisher’s boards 
complete constellation maps 
practical astronomy subject matter 
large format presentation 
included period ephemera 
 
Original British Gall & Inglis editions appear significantly less frequently than later reproductions and facsimiles.
 
The work holds appeal for collectors of:
astronomy history 
popular science 
celestial atlases 
Victorian scientific publishing 
observational astronomy 
 
Provenance & Ephemera
Included with the volume is a contemporary newspaper cutting from The Lancet General Advertiser discussing the Zodiac and historical astrological beliefs.
 
The survival of this loosely inserted period ephemera adds additional period character and collector interest.