Air Navigation (1897) — Meyers Konversations-Lexikon

Gas envelopes, guy-ropes, silk wings, and audacity. This vintage encyclopedic plate gathers the dream of flight on a single page—balloons, airships, gliders, experimental aeroplanes, and more—each drawn with crisp, late-19th-century precision. A perfect blend of science, optimism, and graphic charm.

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Why it captivates

• Dawn of flight — the bold ideas that lifted humanity before powered aviation took hold.

• Encyclopedic elegance — orderly vignettes, fine ruling, and serif captions.

• Design variety — balloons, dirigibles, gliders, kites, and early airplane concepts side by side.

• Conversation starter — engineering history you can point to and admire.

• Warm, timeless palette — inky lines and soft tints suit modern or classic rooms.

• Statement artwork — intelligent focal point for studies, libraries, and living rooms.

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What you’ll see

A grid of early flying machines: spherical and elongated balloons, framed airships (dirigibles), skeletal gliders and ornithopters, tethered kites, and embryonic aeroplanes—each labeled in German with neat legends and scales. Up close: hairline hatch and immaculate type. From a step back: a poised, aerodynamic tapestry.

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A richer historical frame

Published in 1897 within the German encyclopedia Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, this plate captures aeronautics just before the Wrights’ powered flight (1903)—an era when observation balloons and dirigibles shared space with visionary prototypes. It’s the visual grammar of invention, distilled for curious eyes.

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Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival, smooth matte ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for busy spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

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Size (W × H)

841 × 670 mm (approx. 33.11 × 26.38 in)

• Orientation: Landscape

• Aspect ratio: ~1.255 : 1

• Nearest standard frame: A1 landscape (594 × 841 mm) with a custom mat

• Framing tips:

  • Classic: cut the mat window to ~837 × 666 mm for a clean 2–3 mm edge overlap.

  • Contemporary: float-mount in an A1 frame for a slim, architectural reveal.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

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Specifications

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Who it’s for

• Aviation buffs & educators

• Design lovers drawn to clean geometry and technical plates

• Collectors & stylists curating intelligent, heritage-rich interiors

• Gift-givers celebrating graduations, new studios, and science-minded homes

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Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then hand-checked and packed so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Let the early dream of flight take wing—order your fine-art print of Air Navigation (1897) today.