ALL ITEMS: 'Negus--T-S-and-J-D-


 Thumbnail CreatorDateTitle / Author / Date / LocationPrice  Description
1404Printing plate for a 19th century Course Protractor by Negus, NYC.DetailsNegus, T.S and J.D.1886
19th Century Printers Plate for a Course Protractor
Negus, T.S and J.D.
1886
LOC:0
$550.00Negus--T-S-and-J-D-19th-Century-Printers-Plate-for-a-Course-ProtractorExtremely rare copper <b>relief-method</b> printing plate for a 19th century <b>Course Protractor</b> (Patent applied for) sold by T.S. and J.D. Negus. Dated within to Aug. 31, 1886. <br><br/> The plate contains a fancy fleur-de-lis at north and three levels of markings for courses comprising the full 32 point of the compass for example (moving clockwise from North) : "NbE" (North by East), "NNE" (North North East), "NEbN" (North East by North), "NE" (North East), "NEbE" (North East by East), and so on around the compass finishing with "NbW". <b>"Boxing the Compass"</b> was a basic skill of any sailor, being the ability to repeat all 32 points of the mariner's compass. <br><br/> Negus' catalog described the purpose of their Course Protractor: <div class="indenttextblock"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li>1st. Instead of Parallel Rulers to find on charts courses and bearings and positions from cross bearings.</li> <li>2nd. As an inspection table, to turn compass courses into true courses and vice versa.</li></ul> </div> 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' catalog contains a compass-like "Improved Transparent Course Protractor". <br><br/> This antique copper plate plate would have been used to print 360 degrees of marks unto the paper or isinglass substrate used for the main body of the protractor. Isinglass is a kind of gelatin obtained from the air bladders of fish, especially sturgeon. <br><br/> Plate 6.5" square with 6" diameter circle. The copper plate is mounted to several wooden blocks for use in a printing press. <a href=" https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/illuscatnautopti00negurich" target="_blank">(Online p. 83) </a> <hr> </BR> Call for additional 19th century Negus compass-card printing plate sizes, pricing and availability.
1405Printing plates for Negus compass cards.DetailsNegus, T.S and J.D.1900
Lot of 5 Antique Printers Plates for Compass Cards
Negus, T.S and J.D.
1900
LOC:0
$140.00Negus--T-S-and-J-D-Lot-of-5-Antique-Printers-Plates-for-Compass-CardsA lot of 5 rare metal <b>relief-method</b> printing plates for late 19th-century or early 20th century <b>compass cards</b> 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. <br><br/> 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. <a href=" https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/illuscatnautopti00negurich" target="_blank">(Online p. 83) </a> <br><br/> 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. <hr> </BR> Call for additional 19th century Negus compass-card printing plate sizes, pricing and availability.