An Introduction to Astronomy; Designed as a Text Book for the Students of Yale College. (Bound with Mason's Introduction to Practical Astronomy, Designed as a Supplement to Olmsted's Astronomy)

New York: Collins, Keese & Co., 1839. 1839. Rare original edition of Olmsted's "An Introduction to Astronomy." Title page is dated 1839, the year of first publication. Also in this volume, Ebenezer Porter Mason's 1841 "Introduction to Practical Astronomy, Designed as a Supplement to Olmsted's Astronomy..." also published by Collins, Keese & Co. "An Introduction to Astronomy" features an illustrated frontispiece (engraving with views of moon, Saturn and of Jupiter with its moons). Small engravings and line diagrams appear throughout text. Topics include doctrine of the sphere and earth's dimensions, annual motion of the sun, earth's orbit, gravitation, precession of the equinoxes, eclipses, the moon, tides, planets, comets, and fixed stars. Mason's "Introduction to Practical Astronomy" opens with a full-page plate; 6 more plates (2 of which are folding) are bound at the end of book. The plates primarily feature line diagrams though Plate I includes 2 drawings of astronomical instruments. Mason discusses adjustment and use of astronomical instruments, calculation of eclipses and occultations, and methods of finding latitude and longitude. The volume is GOOD++, a clean, firmly bound copy, in worn calf leather binding. The only markings to the book are penciled annotations on the rear free endpaper. Moderate to light foxing to pages but overall pages are clean, complete and very good. Cover is clean though the leather is rubbed, dry and rather 'rusty'. Spine is gilt titled 'Olmsted's Astronomy' on a black leather label. The label has a large vertical chip up the middle, with loss to some of the lettering. Leather is cracked along hinges but the hinges remain firm and the book block is firm and straight. 5-1/2 x 9". Olmsted: xvi +276 text pages. Mason: viii + 141 pages plus 7 plates.. First Edition. Leather. Good+/No Jacket.