1880 Proctor Map or Chart of the Visible Stars (Set of 12 Maps)

This is a fascinating 1880 set of twelve maps or charts of all the stars and constellations of the night sky, by Richard A. Proctor. The charts, which comprise of six northern and six southern maps, show all the stars visible to the naked eye, and fifteen hundred other objects of interest, in twelve circular maps on the equidistant projection. These charts picture the heavens for the first time on a systematic plan, without appreciable distortion, on an adequate scale, and within a convenient volume.

The twelve maps include principle stars and constellations. Map 1 includes Ursa Major, discovered by Richard Proctor himself in 1869, Ursa Minor, Draco, Camelus, Cepheus, Cassiopia, etc. Map 2 includes Andromeda, Lacerta, Pegasus, Pisces, and others. Stars and constellations included in map 3 are Caelum, Cetus, Eridanus, Fornax, Horologium, Phoenix, etc. Map 4 notes Aries, Perseus, Orion, Taurus, and Auriga. Map 5 shows Argo, Canis Minor, Canis Major, Columba, etc., while map 6 shows Gemini, Lynx, Leo, Sextans and others. Map 7 and 8 include Antila, Corvus, Centaurus, Hydra, Virgo, Coma, Corona and Bootes, among others. The stars and constellations included in map 9 are Ara, Corolla, Libra, Sagittarius, Norma, etc. Map 10 includes Vulpes, Sagitta, Lyra, Aquila and Delphin. Map 11 notes Capricornus, Equus, Grus, Indus, Piscis and Microscopium. The stars and constellations in the 12th map are Volans, Triangulum, Reticulum, Musca, Mensa, Octans, Pavo, Hydrus, Dorado, Apus, etc. All together these twelve charts form a fascinating map of the night sky.

These maps were printed A. Brothers and drawn by Richard A. Proctor and issued as part of the second edition of the 1880 issue of A Star Atlas for the Library, the School, and the Observatory.