The Barritt-Serviss Star and Planet Finder volvelle

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0864

Staff Only

Content Description

Derived from dealer description: This collection consists of one board, titled The Barritt-Serviss Star and Planet Finder, with a volvelle at its center, published by Leon Barritt and Garrett Putnam Serviss in 1906. The subtitle reads "The Heavens Without a Telescope. The Only Practical Combination Star, Planet, and Sun and Moon Map." Instructions for use are included on the board, which purports to show the ecliptic ("the apparent annual path of the sun"), the path of the planets, and the view of the stars at a given date and time. The constellations of the Zodiac are also included on the map. The item specifies that the map is representative of the Northern Hemisphere.

Dates

Creation: 1906

Creator

Barritt, Leon, 1852-1938 (Person)
Serviss, Garrett Putman, 1851-1929 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Leon Barritt (1852-1938) was an illustrator, cartoonist, journalist, and amateur astronomer. Garrett Putnam Serviss (1851-1929) was an astronomer, journalist, author, and science fiction writer. Both were born in upstate New York, and conducted most of their work in the New York area.

Source: “1906 Barritt Serviss Star and Planet Finder.” Geographicus Rare Antique Maps. Geographicus Rare Antique Maps . Accessed September 20, 2019. https://www.geographicus.com/P/AntiqueMap/StarPlanetFiner-barrittserviss-1906.

Biographical / Historical

This item is an example of a "volvelle," a device made from rotating discs frequently used in astronomical calculations. Volvelles were commonly found attached to books and manuscripts of the 13th to 16th centuries.

Extent

0.56 Cubic Feet (1 custom box (20 x 3 x 16 inches))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of one volvelle-based astronomical chart which purports to show the star map of the Northern hemisphere, in addition to the path of the Sun and the planets in the solar system, at a given date and time. It was created by Leon Barritt and Garrett Putnam Serviss in 1906.