Navigating by the Stars
- Author
- NORIE, John William
- Title
- Norie's Set of Celestial Maps, for finding The Principal Stars in the Heavens.
- Publisher
- Published as the Act directs, by J.W. Norie & Co. at the Navigation Warehouse and Naval Academy, No.157, Leadenhall Street,
- Publication place
- London,
- Publication date
- 1st March, 1825.
- Price
- £2,200
- Reference
- 1446
Description
Quarto (305 by 250mm), six engraved star charts of which two are folding, stamp of 'Cox Opticians Devonport' to upper paste-down, black paper boards, with publisher's label, extremities rubbed.
Notes
Norie's rare celestial chart book.
The book was produced in order for the student to gain a basic understanding of the heavens so that he may gain "a knowledge of the principal fixed stars in the heavens : and pecularly (sic) adapted to the purpose of finding the stars proper for ascertaining the latitude and apparent time at sea; the longitude by lunar observations" (Norie). This particular example bears the stamp of William Charles Cox, of Devonport, the noted scientific instrument maker and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
John William Norie (1772 – 1843) was a mathematician, hydrographer, chart maker and publisher of nautical books. His most famous work was the 'Epitome of Practical Navigation' (1805), which became the standard work on navigation and went through many editions. Norie began his career working with William Heather, who ran the Naval Academy and Naval Warehouse in Leadenhall Street from 1795, which sold navigational instruments, charts, and books on navigation. Norie took over the Naval Warehouse after Heather's retirement and founded the company J.W. Norie and Company in 1813. After Norie's death the company became Norie and Wilson, then in 1903 Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson.
Rare OCLC records only two institutional examples, with Copac recording a further two.
List of Charts
I. A Map of the Zodiacal Stars. Intended to assist Students in Astronomy in acquiring a Knowledge of the Principal Stars near the Ecliptic. Leadenhall Street By John Norie.
II. Right Ascension in Time and Degrees.
III. A Map of the Principal Stars from the North Pole to the Tropic of Cancer.
V. A Map of the Principal Stars from the North Pole to the Tropic of Capricorn.
IV. A Map of the Principal Stars from the North Pole to the Tropic of Cancer.
VI. A Map of the Principal Stars from the South Pole to the Tropic of Capricorn.
