An Astronomical and Geographical Catechism. For the Use of Children
- Boston: Printed and Sold by S. Hall, 1795
Boston: Printed and Sold by S. Hall, 1795. First edition. Very Good. Contemporary marbled paper wrappers. 80 x 132 mm (3 x 5 1/2 in). 32 pp. Wrappers wearing away at spine. Some light damstaining. A Very Good copy of a scarce and fragile early American educational item. ESTC records just six copies; OCLC adds five more.
Seemingly the first educational work on astronomy published in the United States, An Astronomical and Geographical Catechism was "arranged as a series of questions and answers designed to be memorized and recited by rote, this popular 'catechism' sheds light on the astronomical and geographical knowledge deemed important for young Americans in the 1790s – when there were seven planets (one of which was named "Herschel"), fifteen United States, and the nation's western boundary was defined by the Mississippi River. The author, Caleb Bingham, was a schoolmaster at Moor's Indian Charity School (which became Dartmouth College), as well as a private girls' school in Boston" (John Carter Brown Library).
Evans 28303. ESTC W11704. Very Good.
Seemingly the first educational work on astronomy published in the United States, An Astronomical and Geographical Catechism was "arranged as a series of questions and answers designed to be memorized and recited by rote, this popular 'catechism' sheds light on the astronomical and geographical knowledge deemed important for young Americans in the 1790s – when there were seven planets (one of which was named "Herschel"), fifteen United States, and the nation's western boundary was defined by the Mississippi River. The author, Caleb Bingham, was a schoolmaster at Moor's Indian Charity School (which became Dartmouth College), as well as a private girls' school in Boston" (John Carter Brown Library).
Evans 28303. ESTC W11704. Very Good.