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History of Science Museum

Blueprint of a Diagram of the Orbit of Donati's Comet, by Henry Perigal, November 12, 1858

Inventory Number 11896


Subject
Astronomy
Item type
Object
Provenance
Presented by Dr A. E. Gunther in 1986. Part of the collections of his father R. T. Gunther, founding Curator of the Museum, previously on loan to the Museum. R. T. Gunther purchased various Hartwell House manuscripts and books from the Hartwell House sales in 1939. The blueprint was given to John Lee of Hartwell House by Henry Perigal in 1858.
Primary inscriptions
Intrinsic heading: 'The Orbit of Donati's Comet 1858'. Inscribed: 'J. Lee. 12 November 1858: a present from Mr. Perigal | The major axis to the minor 1 :: 12.62'.
Other inscriptions
Headed on album page: 'Comet of Donati | a present from Mr Perigal' [in John Lee's hand].
Physical material
Paper
Dimensions
Height: 60mm Width: 197mm
Inventory No
11896

Description

In MS Gunther 38, f.18v, Hartwell House astronomical scrapbook, volume 5. Cyanotype (blueprint) astronomical diagram showing merely the elongated ellipse of 'The Orbit of Donati's Comet 1858', made by the geometrician Henry Perigal. Ink stains from writing opposite.