Scarce woodcut engraving by Paul Revere showing the positions of the moon, sun, and Earth during the solar eclipse of August 5, 1766, entitled "Representation of the above Eclipse," found on page 17 of the second edition of "An Astronomical Diary; or, Almanack For the Year of our Lord Christ 1766" by Nathaniel Ames, printed and sold in Boston. The disbound 24-page almanac measures 4.25 x 6.75, and features a discussion of the four eclipses occurring in 1766. Paul Revere's illustration features a half-circle and numerous lines illustrating orbital paths and poles of the Earth. In the center are two circles: one is filled in, representing the moon; the other has sunbursts at its edges and is divided by a line. The description beneath describes the diagram: "The above Type shows the exact position of the Sun, Moon and Earth, at the middle of the Eclipse. The large semi-circle represents one half of that part of the Earth which is then illuminated by the Sun; a the path of the moon; the ecliptic, or oval curve line bb, shows the path of Boston would seem to describe the Earth’s surface, if viewed from the Sun, and its place at the respective hours marked thereon; P the north pole; d the equator, or equinoctial line; the small black circle represents the moon, or the extent of its shadow on the earth’s surface; the other circle is that part of the Sun, that may be seen at the middle of the eclipse, the rest being hid by the Moon." In very good to fine condition, with staining, edge chipping, and complete separation to the pages of the almanac.
