Rare amateur astrophotographs of the 1882 transit of Venus, which took place on December 6. A 'Transit of Venus' happens when Venus is seen in silhouette against the bright face of the Sun. This was the second and last transit of Venus of the 19th century, the first having taken place eight years earlier in 1874.

Samuel Cooper, a "poor but resourceful day-labourer astronomer" [Allan Chapman's term], was known as the Optical Bricklayer from his contributions to the English Mechanic and the World of Science. He used a 23cm silver-on-glass Newtonian reflector and a camera of his own manufacture to take these images. (information from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada)

Two albumen prints on a CdV card. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Normal traces of age. Two right corners are slightly damaged. But still a rare and beautiful cdv!

December 6, 1882.