Description
CHARLES PIAZZI SMYTH (1819-1900) SIGNED CARD, “C. Piazzi Smyth/Astronomer Royal for Scotland/ Oct 17, 1855”, on a card 4 x 3, by the Italian-born British astronomer who was Astronomer Royal for Scotland (1846-88) who is known for many innovations in astronomy and, along with his wife Jessica Duncan Piazzi Smyth, his pyramidological (refers to various pseudoscientific speculations regarding pyramids) and metrological (studies regarding the Great Pyramid of Giza by hypothetical geometric measurements) studies of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Piazzi was the pioneer of the modern practice of placing telescopes at the high altitudes to enjoy the best observing conditions. He wrote a popular book about his expedition to take a telescope to the slopes of Teide in Tenerife (which he spelt Teneriffe) in the Canary Islands and test whether Isaac Newton’s 1704 observation in his book Opticks that the best telescope viewing would be found on the tops of the highest mountains. Newton’s observation had been ignored until Smyth received a grant to test the theory. His popular book: Teneriffe, an Astronomers Experiment, which was the first book to be illustrated with stereoscopic photographs. He later became influenced by the writings of pyramid theorist and went on an expedition to Egypt to measure every surface, dimension, and aspect of the Great Pyramid and subsequently published many books in which he advanced many theories and made many conjectures that won many eminent supports and detractors in the field of Egyptology and by the end of the 19th century had few scientific supporters. Smyth despite his bad reputation in Egyptological circles today, performed much valuable work at Giza. In fine condition, with minor age toning.
$400 #12540
