While researching a recent article related to the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, I identified another book used in Twin Peaks. This one briefly appears twice in episode 2.020 inside Windom Earle’s cabin.
SPOTTING WINDOM EARLE’S ASTRONOMER’S HANDBOOK IN TWIN PEAKS
While scanning through the scene, I saw the cover and spine of a book on Windom’s desk.
The cover was just angled enough that I could read the title.
As Leo Johnson picks up the remote to his shock collar, I thought the title read “Amateur Astronomer’s Handbook by J.B. Sedgewick.” I turned to Google Search with this title and realized that I was 95% close – the author’s name was J.B. Sidgwick. I jumped over to eBay and found a used copy for about $6.00.
AMATEUR ASTRONOMER’S HANDBOOK BY J.B. SIDGWICK
The “Amateur Astronomer’s Handbook” by J.B. Sidgwick was originally published in 1971 by Faber and Faber.
The book I purchased was published by Dover Publications, Inc. (ISBN 0-486-24034-7) in 1980 and is “an unabridged and unaltered republication of the third (1971) edition as published by Faber and Faber, London.” The only section changed was Number 40 (Manufacturers and Suppliers) which “dealt exclusively with British sources of materials and is now out of date.” Some of the Appendix was also omitted. I’m assuming it’s the latter version of this book and not the original 1971 edition.
The cover was designed by Paul E. Kennedy and the book originally sold for $6.95.
I’m guessing the book was selected because of the giant moon on the cover artwork. I’m unsure how useful the contents of the book would have been to Windom Earle. It details the “construction, use and operation of telescopes, mirrors, lenses, mountings, telescope drives, micrometers, spectroscopes and more.”
Since we never see Earle build a telescope, I have to believe the moon artwork was the determining factor for usage.
The moon, as detailed in this Setting the Stage article, plays a prominent role throughout all three seasons of Twin Peaks and makes appearances in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
OTHER APPEARANCES OF THE ASTRONOMER’S HANDBOOK IN TWIN PEAKS
Toward the end of episode 2.020, we briefly see the book on Earle’s round desk behind a shaking Leo Johnson.
As the camera passes by Leo, we can see the book’s spine.
I checked the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department scenes where the conference room was covered with books but didn’t spot it there.
Perhaps Earle dressed as professor Edward Perkins in episode 2.018 picked it up at the Twin Peaks City Library when he ran into Audrey Horne.
