• The Great Comet of 1881 – E. L. Trouvelot Celestial Print, Plate XI (1881)
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The Great Comet of 1881 – E. L. Trouvelot Celestial Print, Plate XI (1881)

The Great Comet of 1881 – E. L. Trouvelot Celestial Print, Plate XI (1881)

by Étienne Léopold Trouvelot

Museum-quality archival print · Ships free
$89.50
$89.50
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In the summer of 1881 a great comet, Tebbutt's, hung in the northern sky with a tail that observers measured at twenty degrees and more. Trouvelot drew it from his own observatory, and he put the observatory in the picture: the little dome at lower left, slit open, a lamp lit in the window, telegraph wires crossing the sky, and above it all the comet's narrow, brilliant tail streaming upward like a searchlight beam. It is the only plate in the atlas with the astronomer's own workplace in the frame, and the most personal.

This is Plate XI of The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings, the atlas Étienne Léopold Trouvelot published in New York in 1881–82 from his own observations. Our reproduction is made from the atlas plate, printed on thick matte paper.

Étienne Léopold Trouvelot

1827–1895

The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings, New York, 1881

Chromolithograph, reproduced as a fine art print.

Product Details

  • Available in 12" x 18" and 20" x 30" for smaller spaces and print sets, or 24" x 36" for larger, more impactful displays; Other sizes may have different aspect ratios
  • Premium paper with a luxurious matte feel with a thickness of 10.3 mil (0.26 mm) and weight of 189 g/m²
  • Choose from Black, Red Oak, or White frames, featuring an Acrylite front protector, or unframed options with your own framing solution
  • Sustainably sourced Ayous wood frame, 0.75" (1.9 cm) thick
  • Lightweight and durable design with hanging hardware included with framed purchases
  • Printed on-demand to avoid overproduction
  • Printed on demand; allow 5 to 12 business days for delivery

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About Us

At Vintage Print Project, we celebrate the timeless charm of vintage design while embracing modern creativity. Our mission is to bring art, culture, and individuality to your space through a carefully curated collection of vintage-inspired prints and exclusive, one-of-a-kind treasures.

Vintage Prints Made Modern:

Each piece in our collection tells a story. From designs inspired by iconic vintage styles to curated limited-edition prints and rare international finds, we offer art that elevates your walls and sparks conversation. By blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology, we create a seamless balance of accessibility and exclusivity.

As a passionate, design-forward team, we value craftsmanship and cultural appreciation to transform everyday spaces into something extraordinary.

The majority of our products are printed on demand shortly after your order is placed. This allows us to reduce overproduction and avoid waste, bringing accessibly priced, yet inspiring, vintage-inspired prints to your space.

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More about this wall art poster print:

In the summer of 1881 a great comet crossed the northern sky, its tail measured at twenty degrees and more, and Trouvelot drew it from the place that defined his work. At lower left stands his own observatory, its dome slit open and a lamp glowing in the window, telegraph wires strung across it and the comet's narrow tail rising steeply above. It is the only plate in his 1881 atlas with the observer's workplace in it, and the warm lamp against the blaze overhead gives the image its once-in-a-lifetime feeling.

Hung up, it reads as a story in a single frame, a natural fit for an entryway or study, where a picture is met at close range. People notice the little dome first and the comet second, and the conversation follows on its own. It is the record of a visitor that appeared, blazed for one season, and vanished.

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About Vintage Print Project

At Vintage Print Project, we celebrate the timeless charm of vintage design while embracing modern creativity. Our mission is to bring art, culture, and individuality to your space through a carefully curated collection of vintage-inspired prints and exclusive, one-of-a-kind treasures.

Each piece in our collection tells a story. From designs inspired by iconic vintage styles to curated limited-edition prints and rare international finds, we offer art that elevates your walls and sparks conversation. By blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology, we create a seamless balance of accessibility and exclusivity.

Quality Printing & Framing

Our posters are printed on museum-quality matte paper, providing a high-quality matte finish. With a thickness of 10.3 mil (0.26 mm) and a weight of 189 g/m², the paper offers a sturdy yet lightweight feel with sharp and vibrant results.

Our frames are made from 0.75" (1.9 cm) thick Ayous wood, sustainably sourced from renewable forests. The lightweight Acrylite front protector adds durability without adding extra weight. Each framed option arrives ready to hang, with hanging hardware included.

The majority of our products are printed on demand shortly after your order is placed. This allows us to reduce overproduction and avoid waste, bringing accessibly priced, yet inspiring, vintage-inspired prints to your space.