A fundraising campaign has been launched by the Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath to buy a special new item for its collection.
A portrait of Caroline Herschel | Photo © RAS
The sought-after handwritten manuscript draft of Caroline Herschel’s Memoir has been valued at £108,000 and represents her life in her own words.
The work has been deemed “enormously important” for the museum’s collection, especially considering that Caroline’s achievements have historically been overshadowed by those of her brother William.
Much of the displayed collection is on loan to the museum and of the items that are owned, just one was made by the Herschels.
This makes acquiring more Herschel-related objects for the permanent collection a very high priority for the museum.
The manuscript is being sold by Christie’s and the museum has until the end of October to raise the funds to purchase it.
Christie’s describes the text in its sale catalogue as: “A manuscript of extreme rarity and with a direct family provenance: the present manuscript has never previously been offered for sale.”
The catalogue also notes that the 57 pages of writing offer: “A remarkable insight into the early life of this pioneering astronomer, narrating her journey from humble origins in Germany to becoming Britain’s first salaried female scientist.”
Izzy Wall, Assistant Curator and the member of staff who has researched the manuscript, explained: “It was written around 1836 when she was 86, and consists of handwritten text in English by Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), with occasional passages or words in German.
“The chapters contained in this draft cover the years 1755-75, a crucial period of Caroline’s life, from her childhood in Hanover to early years in Bath.”
Izzy went on to explain its importance to the museum. She said: “The manuscript provides a valuable insight into the Herschels’ life in Bath, Caroline’s education and her struggles when she arrived in England.
‘It also contains important insights into the Herschels’ professional lives as musicians in Bath, William’s increasing interest in astronomy, and his telescope-building endeavours.”
For the Herschel Museum of Astronomy itself, and sole Trustee Bath Preservation Trust, the manuscript exemplifies the museum’s collecting priorities, to acquire objects that can help to interpret the Herschels’ daily life in Bath, their musical and astronomical achievements, and the specific priority to give the story of Caroline greater prominence.
Claire Dixon, Director of Museums for Bath Preservation Trust explained what will happen if the additional funds cannot be raised.
She said: “There is a significant risk that if the museum is unable to purchase the manuscript, it will be bought by one of the American institutions that collect Herschel material.
“Should this happen, public access to the manuscript here in the UK will be lost. By securing this object and putting it on display at the museum, here in Caroline and William’s former home, visitors will be able to directly engage with Caroline’s story, literally through her own words.”
Claire added: “The manuscript will also be used as source material to inform a more authentic interpretation of the house and to inspire new content for our activity programmes and workshops, which focuses on local schools, families and community groups.
“The acquisition of this Memoir Manuscript will fundamentally enhance our ability to tell the story of Caroline Herschel and her globally significant role in science.”
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy currently owns just one other artefact attributed to Caroline, her visitors’ book, making the opportunity to buy the memoir manuscript all the more of a key priority.
To find out more, and donate to the campaign, visit www.herschelmuseum.org.uk.
