The Selenographical Journal, Selenographical Society. Complete Run with Early Lunar Photographs.
The Selenographical Journal First and only edition of the first journal devoted exclusively to lunar science, complete as a consecutive text run in five volumes. Published from 1878 to 1882, The Selenographical Journal records an extraordinary period in the history of astronomy, when the possibility of observable changes to the lunar surface remained a subject of serious scientific debate. As the Linda Hall Library succinctly notes, “The moon acquired its own journal in 1878.” Established under William Radcliffe Birt and edited by Edmund Neison (later Edmund Neville Nevill), the journal sought to coordinate lunar observers, regularize nomenclature and observational methods, and circulate new maps, drawings, and photographic evidence. One of its most prominent controversies concerned Hermann Klein’s supposed discovery of a new crater near Hyginus, represented here by a diagram printed in blue. The set is illustrated throughout with numerous separately inserted lunar maps, observational drawings, diagrams, and mounted photographic plates, including a carbon-process photograph of the Moon from a negative by A. Ainslie Common, together with other mounted lunar photographs. London: Warren Hall & James J. Lovitt, 1879–1883 [individual issues dated April 2, 1878–December 1882]. Five journal volumes bound in four physical volumes, with Volumes I and II bound together. Vol. I: nos. 1–10; pp. 12 “Memoranda”; iv, 40, Vol. II: nos. 11–22; pp. iv, 96. Vol. III: nos. 23–35; pp. iv, [2 Members’ List], 104. Vol. IV: nos. 36–47; pp. iv, 96. Vol. V: nos. 48–59; pp. iv, 96. A complete consecutive text run of 59 numbered issues, including no. 43, dated August 24, 1881. The textual run has been collated issue by issue and is complete. Illustrated throughout with numerous separately inserted lunar maps, observational drawings, diagrams, and mounted photographic plates; no definitive plate census has been located. Bound in dark blue half leather over marbled boards, the spines with raised bands, gilt rules and titles. A very good set. Bindings remain sound. General rubbing and shelfwear to leather and marbled boards, with wear to edges and corners; the spine of the combined Volumes I–II is more heavily rubbed with its gilt dulled. Internally generally clean, with occasional light toning and traces of foxing. Several inserted illustrations that extend beyond the text block show corresponding marginal wear. One mounted lunar photograph has a short tear at its lower-left corner; the remaining photographed plates and mounts are generally well preserved. Numerous thin blank leaves are interspersed throughout, apparently inserted when the set was bound; they are not tissue guards and their purpose is unknown.