London, George Philip & Son, 1892. 4to (218 x 195 mm). In publisher's original blue cloth binding with gilt lettering to spine and front board. All edges gilt. Wear to extremities and hindges weak. Previous owner's name to half-title. Internally fine and clean. (XII), 57, 17 pp. + 72 plates.
First edition of Ball’s famous popular work on astronomy intended by him to facilitate the study of the heavens. Robert Ball, Irish mathematician and astronomer, possessed a rare gift for explaining complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible manner. The purpose of the present work was to bridge the gap between the esoteric world of astronomy and the general public.