Stolen Star Atlas: Help Keep an Eye Out for Me

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 18:55

Hi everyone,

My temporary home in Tucson, AZ was broken into over the weekend.  Among the items stolen (all the way down to some underwear and shampoo!) was a first-edition copy of the famous Uranometria Nova by F.W.A. Argelander.  The description of this book is below along with a photo of the front cover.  This copy has pencil annotations on some pages by the then director of the Berlin Observatory, including a sketch of a newly discovered comet from night to night.  The rear cover is a bit mouse damaged (e.g. the lower left corner of the book when viewed from behind is chewed, cover and a few pages into the book from the back).

 Title: URANOMETRIA NOVA. STELLAE PER MEDIAM EUROPAM SOLIS OCULIS CONSPICUAE SECUNDUM VERAS LUCIS MAGNITUDINES E COELO IPSO DESCRIPTAE. AD. FR. ARGELANDRO. [Title repeated in German]

Author: ARGELANDER, Fr[iedrich] 
Description: First edition of this atlas (text not present) which the Dictionary  of Scientific Biography describes in its lengthy biography of  Argelander as "One of his finest works." Oblong folio, approximately  11-1/2 x 16-1/2 inches in original boards with cloth spine. Original  title label on front cover. Lower right corner of rear cover and all  adjacent paper (about 2 x 1 inches) worn, but without loss. Complete  with all 17 plates. As the title says, the stars recorded are those  which were visible to the naked eye. 

If you happen to find a listing for this book anywhere, do let me know, as there is a chance I can get it returned.

Thanks!

 

Kevin B. Marvel

kmarvel@mac.com

AAS Executive Officer & AAVSO Member MKV

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Strange thieves

[quote=kevinbmarvel]

My temporary home in Tucson, AZ was broken into over the weekend.  Among the items stolen (all the way down to some underwear and shampoo!) was a first-edition copy of the famous Uranometria Nova by F.W.A. Argelander.  

[/quote]

So sorry to hear this Kevin. I too have been in your situation before, with "remote" observatories. "nobody home = easy target". However, usually the thieves leave the astronomy stuff alone, because they haven't a clue about what it is! Kind of odd.

Mike LMK

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
break-in

Bummer - not a good return from the meeting. Hope it shows up and somebody catches whodunit.