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Object Timeline

1947

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2019

2024

  • You found it!

Print, Lapis Polaris Magnes (Invention of the Compass), plate 2 of the Nova Reperta (New Inventions for Modern Times)

This is a Print. It was designed by Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus and published by Philips Galle and dedicatee: Luigi Alamanni. It is dated ca. 1590 and we acquired it in 1947. Its medium is engraving on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Samuel P. Avery.

Its dimensions are

20 × 26.8 cm (7 7/8 × 10 9/16 in.)

It is inscribed

Lettered in margin, below image, with the title and two sentences in Latin: 'Lapis reclusit iste Flavio abditum' / 'Poli suum hunc amorem, at ipse navitae'. ; Within image, lower right: 'Ion.Stradanus Invent.' / 'Phls. Galle excud.' ; Plated numbered 2.

Cite this object as

Print, Lapis Polaris Magnes (Invention of the Compass), plate 2 of the Nova Reperta (New Inventions for Modern Times); Designed by Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus (Flemish, 1523–1605); Published by Philips Galle (Flemish, 1537 - 1612); Dedicatee: Luigi Alamanni (Italian, 1558–1603); Netherlands; engraving on paper; 20 × 26.8 cm (7 7/8 × 10 9/16 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Samuel P. Avery; 1947-26-1

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18606173/ |title=Print, Lapis Polaris Magnes (Invention of the Compass), plate 2 of the Nova Reperta (New Inventions for Modern Times) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>