Definitions – Circle of the Heavens – Asa Smith (1851) – Vintage Lithograph Poster Print

Asa Smith’s Definitions – Circle of the Heavens transforms the fundamental concepts of 19th-century astronomy into a remarkably elegant graphic diagram. At its center, the Earth is surrounded by a spherical network of latitude and longitude lines, while a vast ring of stars represents the “Circle of the Heavens.” Lines radiate outward to identify concepts including the zenith, nadir, visible horizon, polar distance, and altitude, while tiny figures positioned around the globe demonstrate how these measurements relate to an observer on Earth. The stark black-and-white design gives the scientific diagram an almost modernist quality, despite its origins in the Victorian era.

The illustration was created for Smith’s Illustrated Astronomy, an educational textbook designed to present the principles of astronomy through concise explanations and original diagrams. Asa Smith, principal of Public School No. 12 in New York City, used the book to introduce students to astronomy, celestial mechanics, and the relationships between the Earth and the heavens. The work appeared in several editions from the late 1840s onward; an 1851 edition was published by Cady & Burgess in New York. The combination of scientific instruction, meticulous engraving, and dramatic celestial imagery makes Definitions a fascinating example of vintage astronomy illustration and 19th-century educational graphic design.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction

– Paper weight: 189 g/m2

– For indoor use only

– Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

– Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16″

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

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