Account of a Comet - photo 1
Account of a Comet - photo 2

Account of a Comet

Lot 37
05.02.2026 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 1 270
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1540285
Lot 37 | Account of a Comet
Estimate value
$ 400 – 600
HERSCHEL, William (1738-1822). “Account of a Comet.” Pp. 492-500 in: Philosophical Transactions, of the Royal Society of London Vol. LXXI. For the Year 1781. London: sold by Lockyer Davis and Peter Elmsly, printers to the Royal Society, 1781-82.

The first observations of Uranus. ”On 13 March 1781, while ‘engaged in a series of observations on the parallax of the fixed stars,’ Herschel recorded in his observations book that: ‘In the quartile near Zeta Tauri the lowest of two is a curious either nebulous star or perhaps a Comet.’ He continued to observe the unfamiliar object into April, measuring it with a newly designed micrometer and noting that it had no tail, which would rule out a comet; but Herschel moved cautiously with its identification. On 26 April, Herschel’s ‘Account’ was read to the Royal Society, without a claim that the new object was a previously unseen planet, though with private support to that end by the Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne. Herschel first wished to call it ‘Georgium Sidus’ or ‘George’s Star,’ after King George III; eventually it came to be known as Uranus” (Hammond, p.70).

This volume of the Philosophical Transactions is typically eclectic, covering natural history, geography, zoology, etc. Other astronomical articles include Herschel’s “Astronomical Observations on the Rotation of the Planets round their Axes, made with a View to determine whether the Earth’s diurnal Motion is perfectly equable.” (pp. 115-138 and illustrated with two folding engraved plates by Basire on full aprons) and papers by Edward Pigott, Nathaniel Pigott, and Joseph Willard.

Two parts in one volume, quarto (256 x 191mm). Engraved diagrams and illustrations. Untrimmed. (Light foxing to title and half-title, occasional spotting to plates and fore-edges, some offsetting and toning to plates.) Modern half calf over marbled boards, spine gilt. Provenance: Thomas Llewelyn, d. 1783 (preserved bookplate denoting gift to:) – Bristol Education Society (bookplate).
Place of origin:England
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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United Kingdom
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22.01.2026 – 05.02.2026
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