Accession No
0434
Brief Description
lodestone, 1800-1900 (c)
Origin
Maker
Class
magnetism
Earliest Date
1800
Latest Date
1900
Inscription Date
Material
stone (lodestone); metal (iron, brass)
Dimensions
height 155mm; breadth 135mm; depth 80mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Inscription
Description Notes
Large irregularly-shaped stone, painted red, armed with iron poles; shaped brass end-caps, marked ‘N’ and ‘S’, connected by three brass strips. Red-painted iron nail as keeper.
References
Events
Description
In November 1944, R.S. Whipple’s donation to the University of Cambridge was put on show in the East Rooms of the Old Schools. The University accepted the donation on the condition that they found a new institution within which to house the collection.
Whipple himself wrote a guidebook to this exhibition, describing some of the more important objects and books on show. The front cover includes the following declaration: “The Exhibits are drawn from the Collection which Mr R.S. Whipple is presenting to the University and will form a nucleus for a History of Science Museum and Library in Cambridge.”
Whipple's explanatory text for this object was:
"Lodestone. A natural magnet in brass frame with keeper, c.1700."
17/10/2025
Created by: Hannah Price on 17/10/2025
FM:43571
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