Meteoric Shower as Seen off Cape Florida | John C. Adams | 1891

Meteoric Shower as Seen off Cape Florida (1891). Attributed to John C. Adams.

This remarkable nineteenth-century engraving depicts the Leonid meteor storm of 12 November 1799, witnessed off the coast of Florida by American surveyor and astronomer Andrew Ellicott. Awakened at around 3 a.m., Ellicott observed an extraordinary spectacle as countless shooting stars streaked across the heavens, resembling fireworks. The display was so intense that he feared some might strike his vessel. The meteors continued until daylight, and the phenomenon was reported across the West Indies and parts of North America.

The storm occurred as Earth passed through a dense trail of debris left by Comet Tempel–Tuttle, which produces the annual Leonid meteor shower. Particularly spectacular Leonid storms occur roughly every 33 years. The engraving captures the extraordinary sight above the dark Atlantic, with a sailing ship dwarfed beneath the illuminated sky.

Historical note: Although commonly dated 1891 and attributed to John C. Adams, the illustration also appears in an 1869 edition of The Midnight Sky. Its artist is not definitively established.

Frame:

Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age.

All framed prints feature our premium fine art paper. This is a museum-quality paper which reproduces photography and artworks with exceptional tonality and renders sharp details with consistent flatness and accuracy.

Print: 

For the matted / mounted prints we use a thick 1.4mm window mount cut from premium, textured mountboard. All mounts are "conservation grade", FSC certified, 100% acid free, and will not discolour or fade with age.

• Simple, elegant design
• Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface
• Handmade by specialist picture framers
• FSC certified off-white mat / window mount
• Delivered ready for hanging