Pamarama of Carlton Hill Observatory with Orrory, Edinburgh 1792
Contempory coloured print of the first observatory under construction on Carlton Hill Edinburgh by Barker. Edinburgh University created its first Chair of Astronomy in 1786 and as a consequence the first observatory in Edinburgh, Scotland was built in 1792. It was designed by the architect James Craig, who in previous years had won the competition to design the "Edinburgh New Town" (now a World Heritage site). This print was taken from part of a "Panarama of Edinburgh" by Barker (who invented the 'Panarama' in Edinburgh) and was published separately by him also in 1792. The observatory is the unfinished octagonal building and the orrories on the path leading up to it were placed there to give publicity and excite interest in this new venture - (where are they now?) The view from Carlton Hill overlooks the Firth of Forth with the outlines of the "Kingdom of Fife" on the horizon. The complete panarama still exists in Edinburgh (but sadly is not currently on diplay), but apart from this the only other example of this print I have ever seen or been able to track down in nearly four decades is in the National Museums of Scotland where it is on display in the scientific instrument gallery. My copy was professionally mounted on cardboard many years ago - certainly pre WWII - presumably to preserve and protect it. It has some minor tears at the bottom and top but two larger tears (which I illustrate) on the RHS. There is some minor foxing plus some words written on the rear (now covered by the board) which show though in the sky in mirror form. Edinburgh is clearly readable as one of the words but I have failed - despite the use of a mirror! - to decipher the other two? three? words. Despite these defects (the tears are 'invisible' under normal viewing) this is a very rare and charming print made in the "Age of Enlightenment" when Scotland was known as "The Athens of the North" and was a leader in the world in the arts and sciences. Apart from its obvious scientific interest this print is part of the world's first Panarama and therefor doubly important. The first observatory on Carlton Hill (The Old Observatory) only lasted a few years and was replaced by a much larger building by Playfair in 1818. This became the Royal Observatory on Carlton Hill after the visit of King George IV to Edinburgh in 1822. This second observatory was in turn replaced by the current Edinburgh Royal Observatory relocated to Blackford Hills to the south of the City of Edinburgh which opened for business in 1896. (Sorry about all the history but someone had to write it all down in one place - it's there in lots of different bits in different internet sites but......) Needs careful packing I can supply with the glazed frame in came with or as illustrated the only difference in price will be the increased cost of transport. 22½" (57 cm) x 17½" (44.5 cm)
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£6.00Panarama of Carlton Hill Observatory and Orreries 1
Panarama of Carlton Hill Observatory Barker signiture
Part of Panarama of Carlton Hill observatory and orreries: damage and writing
