1845 Bradford Set of Two Celestial Maps of the Constellations at the Poles

This is a set of two (2) 1845 Duncan Bradford celestial maps of the constellations as seen from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively. The Pole is situated at the center of each map, with lines of latitude illustrated in expanding concentric circles emanating outward from the center. Each hemisphere is illustrated from the Pole to forty degrees latitude, meaning that neither hemisphere is illustrated in full. The constellations within view in each hemisphere are beautifully colored and stars throughout each hemisphere are illustrated. Each star is illustrated in such a way that both their name and magnitude are rendered, which allows even more information to be included on the map. A key explaining the differences in notations used to identify stars is situated along the right side of both maps, along with the notations for nebulae and variable stars. In the Northern Hemisphere, both Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are illustrated, as are the Lynx, Auriga, Perseus, Camelopardus, Cassiopeia (Cassippea), Cepheus, and Cygnus, along with a few others. In the Southern Hemisphere, Centauris, Lupus, Sagittarius, and Eridanus are depicted in part or in full, and numerous star clusters are also indicated.

These two celestial maps were engraved by George Washington Boynton and published by Duncan Bradford in his book The Wonders of the Heavens… in 1845.