Wall hanging, 1858-60 (cotton, brass)

Creator: Working Men's Educational Union A coloured cotton wall hanging, showing two comets, dated 20 August and 28 August respectively. At each corner is a brass eyelet from which to hang the piece, while the number 142 is printed in the lower right hand corner below a stamp stating that it was 'Published by Working Men's Educational Union 43 Skinner Stt Snow Hill London' and dated 1852, which is possibly the date of the foundation of the Union. The image is possibly of Donati's Comet, now formally designated C/1858 L1 and 1858 VI, in which case the hanging must date from 1858 or later. Named after the Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Donati, who first observed it on 2nd June 1858, the comet's closest approach to Earth occurred on 10th October, 1858.