Negus, T.S and J.D.
1900

Lot of 5 Antique Printers Plates for Compass Cards

DESCRIPTION: A lot of 5 rare metal relief-method printing plates for late 19th-century or early 20th century compass cards sold by T.S. and J.D. Negus. New York. These plates have diameters ranging between 4.75 to 2.25 inches. On some plates the engraver has replaced the "E" for East with "O" for Ost, the German word for East. These plates document Negus's participation in foreign sales of its compasses and other similar navigation instruments. One plate appears to be a variant of Negus' patented course protractor. The largest plate contains an attractive fleur-de-lis emblem at North. Each plate is tacked to a solid wooden block for use in letterpress.

The Negus firm's 1899 illustrated catalog and price list advertises their trade as "Chronometer Manufacturers, Compass Adjusters and Navigation Warehouse. 140 Water Street, New York." Negus' 1899 catalog and price list contains pocket compasses, dry compasses, tell-tale and transparent compasses as well as a pelorous, a compass-like navigation device used by a ship's pilot for maintaining a bearing on a distant ship or shore-based object. (Online p. 83)

These printer's plates would have been used to print circular compass cards divided into points of the compass, degrees clockwise from north. A compass card, with magnets mounted below, would be suspended from a pivot within the compass so as to rotate freely. In their catalog, Negus' dry card compasses are offered with card sizes of 3", 4", 6.75", 7.75", and 9" at prices ranging from $4 to $20.

Call for additional 19th century Negus compass-card printing plate sizes, pricing and availability.

CREATOR: Negus, T.S and J.D.

PUBLICATION DATE: 1900

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: N/A

CONDITION: Good. No major issues. Some oxidation.

COLORING: None

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 4 " x 4 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0

PRICE: $140

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