Bilder Isaac Frost / George Baxter - Muggletonian Astronomical Print - The Newtonian System

Beskrivning

This plate attempts to show the absurdity of the Newtonian system by depicting our solar system as one of many in an infinite and godless universe. Beautiful celestial maps. They come from a book published in 1846 by Isaac Frost, a London brass founder and Muggletonian. (The sect had remarkable longevity—the last known member died in 1979 after donating the sect’s archive of books and papers, which had been stored in more than 80 apple crates, to the British Library). Isaac Frost (after), astronomy planetary motion, celestial sky map charts. George Baxter, London C. 1846. Baxter oil color print

Plate 6, The Newtonian System: A simple diagram shows the sun surrounded by a circle representing “The Earth’s Orbit” graduated into 360 degrees, with Earth at 360, in line with a small glowing sphere labeled “Fixed Star.” “This Diagram will show that if the Earth revolves round the Sun, as the Solar System states, then it will necessarily follow, that the Earth will differ in its position with the Sun and any given fixed star on its equator, every day throughout the whole year. Now consider, is it so? If it is not so, then it will make much in favor of the Holy Scriptures, that the Sun revolves round the Earth. Isaac Frost.

Very rare plate originates from the Isaac Frost’s work ”The Two Systems of Astronomy”. The plate was drawn by Isaac Frost, engraved by Chubb & Son 7 Charterhouse Street. System According to the Holy Scriptures. Printed in Oil Colors by G. Baxter, Patentee, 11 Northampton Square.

Isaac Frost was a scientist and prominent member of the sect in the mid 19th century who was instrumental in the refinement of the Muggletonian’s astronomical theory, which rejected Newtonian physics in favor of biblical statements, especially from the Book of Enoch. They were originally published in 1846 under the title Two Systems or Astronomy: First, the Newtonian System, Second, the System in Accordance with the Holy Scriptures and were likely circulated only to members of the sect. Frost and his brother Joseph also edited the three-volume set of The Works of J. Reeve and L. Muggleton (1832).

George Baxter (1804-1867) was a London printer who developed and patented an unusual method of printing using oil-based inks. Baxter was trained as a wood engraver and started his own printing business around 1827, publishing his first color print in 1829. In 1835 he patented his method. A meticulous craftsman, over the next 30 years, he produced some 400 color prints of various subjects, as book illustrations and separately issue prints. Relative to hand-coloring and other available methods, Baxter’s process was a less expensive way to produce quality color prints, and brought color prints in reach to a broader market. As a way to generate income to renew his patent after it expired in 1849, he sold licenses to his process to other firms, notably that of Abraham Le Blond. After Baxter died in 1867, his process was gradually supplanted by the introduction of chromolithography, a cheaper and less technically demanding process. However, his work continued to be admired by print collectors. The short-lived First Baxter Society was founded in 1895, and succeeded in 1921 by the Second Baxter Society, which lasted about two decades. In 1983, the New Baxter Society was founded as an international organization for collectors, academics and institutions interested in prints produced by the Baxter method.

Artist or Maker
Isaac Frost and George Baxter

Date
1846