The central sun and the theory of the stellar universe (backlit), 1846-60 (engraving)

Creator: James Reynolds One of a set of twelve hand-coloured astronomical prints with an explanatory card. These are contained in a brown striped portfolio with blue marbled paper along the spine, embossed with gold lettering on the front, reading 'Astronomical Diagrams. The publisher is identified on each print as J. Reynolds or James Reynolds of the Strand, London. These cards were first issued by Reynolds in 1846, although he and other publishers continued to produce them throughout the second half of the 19th century. They responded to a perceived market for popular science products and were intended for informal learning within the home. They could be bought in sets or singly and, at a price of 1 shilling, were affordable to middle class audiences.