[THE FIRST ASTRONOMY TEXTBOOK IN POLISH, RICHLY ILLUSTRATED] JĘDRZEJEWICZ—COSMOGRAPHY, 1886

[THE FIRST POLISH-LANGUAGE, RICHLY ILLUSTRATED ASTRONOMY TEXTBOOK]

JĘDRZEJEWICZ, Jan

COSMOGRAPHY

with a historical introduction by H. Merczyng

numerous illustrations

Warsaw 1886, at the Noskowski Printing House, p. XLVI, [2], 400,10 plates (lithographs, including 2 in color), 242 figures in the text (woodcuts); format 15x23.5 cm

Jan Walery Jędrzejewicz’sCOSMOGRAPHY is the first richly illustrated astronomy textbook in Polish, offering a comprehensive and, for its time, modern overview of knowledge about the universe. In an accessible yet factual style, the author presents topics such as the structure of the cosmos, the motions of celestial bodies, the structure of the Solar System, and the fundamentals of astronomical observation. The work covers both the state of astronomical knowledge established at that time and the theoretical foundations of cosmography—the science describing the order and shape of the world.

A particular strength of the work is its extensive illustrative material: numerous engravings, schematics, diagrams, and tables, which, in the context of the late 19th century, made the book not only a scientific textbook but also a modern teaching tool. As a result, *Kosmografija* served as a practical guide to astronomy, intended not only for schoolchildren and college students but also for a broad audience interested in the science of the heavens.

The book’s author is Jan Walery Jędrzejewicz (1835–1887) —a physician, astronomer, meteorologist, and one of the most important Polish popularizers of the natural sciences in the 19th century. After completing his medical studies, he settled in Płońsk, where he founded a private astronomical observatory and a meteorological station, conducting systematic observations of celestial bodies and atmospheric phenomena. The results of his research were published both in Poland and abroad, and his work played a significant role in the development of Polish astronomy. After Jędrzejewicz’s death, the observatory was moved to Warsaw.

*Kosmografija* was written at a time when Polish-speaking lands lacked modern, comprehensive works on astronomy in the native language. This publication filled a significant gap in scientific literature, combining a solid academic exposition with a clear writing style and rich illustrations. Today, the book serves as a valuable historical document of science, a testament to the level of astronomical knowledge at the end of the 19th century and the development of popular science education in the Kingdom of Poland.

Rare!

CONTEMPORARY HALF-LEATHER HARDCOVER WITH EMBOSSING AND GILDING

Condition: BDB-