[Halley, Edmund] [ Halleius, Edmundis] [Edmond]

[Portrait Engraving] Engraving of Edmundus Halleius, R.S.S.

[London?]: [William Innys?] [1752?]. An engraved portrait of Edmund Halley. Single leaf, trimmed, verso blank. Sheet is 10 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (268 mm x 201mm). Plate mark is approx 9 3/8 x 7 1/4 inches. On laid paper. Some soft folds to the paper. Engraved text in italics : "Edmundus Halleius R. S. S. | Astronomus Regius et Geometriae Professor Savitianus." Near Fine. [29383]


The Royal Museums Greenwich has three different engravings of Halley on their website. Only one example (PAD2757), appears to match ours. Greenwich suggests R. Phillips as the maker, and lists the original dimensions as Sheet: 276 x 220 mm. The size suggests to us that it might be a frontispiece for a book rather than a separately issued engraving (especially since there is no engraver or other imprint information on this example).

We found a possible match as the frontispiece in Halley's 1752 edition of "Astronomical Tables With Precepts Both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets." (London: William Innys). There was also a 1749 edition of this same title which we have not seen.

Regardless of the source, it is a strong image and suitable for framing as a gift for the Astronomy enthusiast.

Price: $75.00