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Constellation Postcards

The twelve zodiac constellations from a set of hand-coloured star cards made in 1825, ready to print and send.

The cards are from Urania’s Mirror (London, 1825), a set of 32 constellation cards engraved by Sidney Hall, in the Library of Congress. On the real cards each star is a hole punched through the card, larger for brighter stars. “Print postcard” makes real postcards: the picture on one side and a postcard back on the other, with the card’s description and room for a message, an address and a stamp.

Aries, the Ram by Sidney Hall
Aries, the Ram Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The ram of the zodiac, with Musca Borealis, the Northern Fly, a small constellation no longer used, above it. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Taurus, the Bull by Sidney Hall
Taurus, the Bull Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The bull of the zodiac, shown as the front half of a charging bull, with the Pleiades marked on its shoulder. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Gemini, the Twins by Sidney Hall
Gemini, the Twins Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The twins of the zodiac, Castor and Pollux, arm in arm, one with a club and the other with a lyre. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cancer, the Crab by Sidney Hall
Cancer, the Crab Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The crab of the zodiac, its stars scattered across its shell. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Leo, the Lion by Sidney Hall
Leo, the Lion Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The lion of the zodiac, with Leo Minor, the Little Lion, on the same card. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Virgo, the Maiden by Sidney Hall
Virgo, the Maiden Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The maiden of the zodiac, winged, with a branch in one hand and ears of wheat in the other. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Libra, the Scales by Sidney Hall
Libra, the Scales Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The scales of the zodiac. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Scorpius, the Scorpion by Sidney Hall
Scorpius, the Scorpion Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The scorpion of the zodiac, its tail curled beneath it. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sagittarius, the Archer by Sidney Hall
Sagittarius, the Archer Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The archer of the zodiac, a centaur drawing his bow, with Corona Australis (a wreath), Microscopium and Telescopium on the same card. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Capricornus, the Sea-Goat by Sidney Hall
Capricornus, the Sea-Goat Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The sea-goat of the zodiac, a goat with a fish’s tail. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Aquarius, the Water-Bearer by Sidney Hall
Aquarius, the Water-Bearer Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The water-bearer of the zodiac pouring from his jar, with Piscis Australis, the Southern Fish, and the Ballon Aérostatique, a hot-air balloon constellation no longer used. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pisces, the Fishes by Sidney Hall
Pisces, the Fishes Sidney Hall, 1825 Library of Congress The two fishes of the zodiac, tied together by a long cord. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons