Pixeum: the digital gallery
of maps, art, science and history

We help:

  • Collectors and Artists to digitize, curate and share
  • Students and Teachers to engage and explore
  • Everyone to learn about intricate and beautiful images

On Pixeum, you’ll find images generously donated from all sorts of collections, digitized for you to access.

Smith's Astronomy - 1865

9/30/23 - Thanks again to Rich Breiman, for sharing the digital images of this school textbook published, for the first time, before the Civil War. The author was a professor at Dartmouth.Smith's Illustrated Astronomy is a book that was published in 18651. Here are some historical facts about the book:The book was part of the study of meteors and their origins1.Smith's Illustrated Astronomy was used as a textbook in high schools2.The book was first published in 1852, and there were subsequent editions in 1860 and 18653.Smith's Illustrated Astronomy contained maps of the planets and the solar system3.The book was written by Asa Smith, who was a professor of natural philosophy and astronomy at Dartmouth College4.Smith's Illustrated Astronomy was part of a series of books that included Smith's Atlas of Modern and Ancient Geography6.An abridged version of the book was designed for use in junior classes in public or common schools5.Overall, Smith's Illustrated Astronomy was an important educational resource in the mid-19th century, used to teach students about astronomy and the solar system.Asa Dodge Smith was an American Presbyterian preacher and the seventh president of Dartmouth College from 1863 until his death in 187723. He was born on September 21, 1804, in Amherst, New Hampshire, and died on August 16, 1877, in Hanover, New Hampshire2. Smith graduated from Dartmouth College in 1830 and later attended Andover Theological Seminary3. He was a cosmopolitan man, whose reputation as a preacher and public speaker had won him many friends and admirers1. Smith was appointed as the president of Dartmouth College in 1863, after a long career as a minister3. During his presidency, he oversaw the annexation of the Chandler Scientific School, America's first specialized school of engineering5. Smith was also a prolific writer and authored several books, including Letters to a Young Student, in the First Stage of a Liberal Education (1832) 4. Asa Dodge Smith is buried at Dartmouth College Cemetery, Hanover, New Hampshire4.keyword: richbreiman

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Monteith's Manual of Geography - 1876

9/28/23 - I love the old geography textbooks because they are so raw, striving for accuracy and objectivity, but also heavily biased. I also find them beautifully designed. Tom PaperJames Monteith (1831-1890) was an American author known for his widely published geography textbooks in the 19th century1. He was born in Strabane, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States as a child, where he lived his entire life in New York City1. Monteith began his career as a teacher in New York's public school system and eventually became the headmaster of Ward School 17 (later P.S. 18) at 211 West 47th St1.In the 1850s, Monteith started publishing textbooks on geography and history, initially collaborating with Francis McNally, a fellow New York public school teacher and mentor to Monteith until his death in 185513. His influences included Alexander K. Johnston, Arnold Guyot, Matthew Fontaine Maury, and Emma Hart Willard1. A.S. Barnes and Co. published many different versions of Monteith's geography textbooks from the early 1850s to the 1880s, which grew larger, more detailed, and more sophisticated over time1.Monteith's geography textbooks were widely published in the United States from the late 1850s until well after his death, offering some of the most popular educational resources of the time2. His works were part of the National Series of Standard School Books and featured black and white illustrations and color maps4. Some of his well-known textbooks include "First Lessons in Geography: On The Plan of Object Teaching" and the "National Geographical Series"46. Source: Perplexity.ai

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Art at 601 California Street

9/26/23 - I put this exhibit together for anyone visiting 601 Cal who wants to understand the beautiful collection of art in the lobby. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks, Tom Papertom@pixeum.org 

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Peter Hiller Art - July 2023

9/8/23 - The act of creating art has been a pleasure and significant part of my life since I was a child. By letting inspiration come naturally to me, I love the flow of ideas and approaches from one to the next and I am continually overjoyed when that 'magic' light bulb goes off.As a former teacher of grade school art for almost forty years, I have been surrounded by, and hopefully nurtured, the creativity of others. In 'retirement' there are few distractions from exploring a fountain of ideas as are presented here on Pixeum where I have previously showcased the creative efforts of artist, cartographer and author Jo Mora.The new work presented here is from three recent series, one leading to the next, each with a focus on nature and painted surfaces. The images are printed on archival paper and, whereas it all begins with a digital camera, the results are more, at least to me, like paintings evoking conversations.Thoughts, questions, and sales inquiries are welcome - 19philler52@gmail.com or 831-624-3284 (old school landline with an answering machine).Sincerely, Peter Hiller 

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