A perfect gift. Brass compass and 100 year calendar in a wooden box. The box is neatly understated - no attempt is made to 'finish' the box, almost as if a latter day treasure has been discovered in a centuries-old trunk.

To use the calendar just turn the window to the relevant year and read off the scale.

The compass was developed over centuries. Early compasses were probably in use in ancient China, in Norway during the 1100's and in the Mediterranean shortly after. There's evidence that early Viking explorers used rudimentary compasses to navigate to "Vinland" on the northern tip of Newfoundland even earlier.

The first onboard compass was probably an iron pin magnetized by a lodestone, a magnetized ferrous rock. It was placed on a piece of cork in a bowl of water to maintain its northerly orientation. Columbus may have used such a device to keep his westward heading during his voyages to the Americas, although there is some dispute over this . Later explorers certainly had such devices, likely improved ones. In the 16th century, a better understanding of the concepts of magnetism and variation resulted in more sophisticated compass design as the age of exploration began in earnest.

8 x 8 x 4cm (3" x 3" x 1.5"). Weight 200g.

Delivery to: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark. France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

P+P ADDED AT CHECKOUT (Some non-uk destinations may require an additional delivery charge for heavier items).