Some Globe Rarieties from the Library of Congress

      In part one of my Library of Congress (LOC)  post we saw some really nice American globes from their collection. In this post I want to explore 3 of the more rare American globes that they have.
     First I want to show a great globe from a company called Pendleton's Lithography, a Boston based company that seemed to make small globes as a sideline to their main business so here it is:

Notice the small metal loop

 This globe is a 5 inch wooden orb the gores are applied directly to that wooden orb, and please notice the small metal loop at the pole.  This is a feature that is identical to Holbrooks globes coincidentally also identical is the 5 inch size of this globe, as one manufactured by Holbrook.  Did they influence one another? I believe that they did.  This globe is basic in it's geography another similarity with Holbrook.  Pendleton has this globe mounted on a turned wood stand, and at one point in time a moon was probably connected to that metal rod this was a globe and planetary model, a nice upgrade as a teaching apparatus.  I believe ( but could not confirm) that small metal loop was meant for the globe to be removed and put on a string for further flexibility as a teaching model.  Very few examples of this globe exist, Sylvia Sumira profiles a similar Pendleton as globe 49 in her book "Globes 400 years of exploration, navigation and power"  In fact I have used her book as a reference here.
     So are there any more of these globes out there still to be found?  What are the chances of adding this rarity to my collection? Almost zero, but ya never know. There are discoveries in the globe collector market all the time.
     Lets look at another globe that, although rare is seen from time to time A Silas Cornell globe.

 This globe is especially fascinating to me because it was manufactured in Rochester NY just a stones throw from me.  It again is a wooden sphere with gores applied directly to the surface. This example, and all examples I've ever encountered is a 5 inch globe mounted onto a simple wire frame and wooden base, clearly an inexpensive globe at the time of manufacture. Probably meant for student use.  Interesting to note one of these actually went to auction on eBay not too long ago. Here is a link to the David Rumsey collection featuring a similar Silas Cornell globe: Cornell Globe 1845  These globes when they come available seem to always be in less than great condition
owing to their utilitarian nature. As well as the choice for wood as the orb

     Next I need to show you one of my personal favorites, A Holbrooks 3 inch hinged globe. What an ingenious design, a globe showing A Mercator's map projection on the inside, and an accurate if simplified global projection when closed. As close to a pocket globe as we have ever seen in America. This globe was made in great number and as a rare globe they are still obtainable as they come up for auction somewhat regularly. By regular I mean that they show up yearly or once every other year. eBay has even had Holbrook hinged globes from time to time in various stages of decay.
     As a globe meant for children these globes are hard to find in great condition, but the fact that the core of the globe is solid wood helps with the survivability. These globes were also made as a 5 inch orb equally as common as the 3 inch.  I've been in pursuit of this globe for my personal collection for awhile, a great example was auctioned by Heritage in Dallas this past spring. I came close as the under bidder on that one. Heritage runs an unusual auction style that if you are not familiar with it can be a bit confusing to a newbie, I plan to discuss Heritage in another post later.
So here are 2 pictures of the Holbrook 3 inch hinged globe:

      Visiting the Library of Congress was an absolutely wonderful experience as a globe collector. They have many other examples of great American globes just sitting there waiting for you to discover them. Also I know of no other place where you can get so up close to such rarities, a real treat.
     During my visit I experienced some true hospitality and some above and beyond helpfulness from several Globe and Map division staffers, but I must mention one gentleman in
particular.  Mr Edward Redmond the vault curator
of the map division was accommodating, and
exceptionally helpful in my quest to learn more
about these great globes. He is a map lover
himself and the vice president of the
Washington Map society as well.

The Globe collector market part 2

     This week found me antiquing my way through the Ohio valley,  never before had I found such great antiquing in general as in the many shops and malls in and around Cincinnati Ohio who wouda thunk it......well there it was nonetheless.
     Cincinnati is actually an old city by American standards, so it should not be too surprising actually. The places I visited were very strong in vintage industrial, and other re purposed items, being in the Midwest not surprising at all

so what did I find, lets start with the cream of the crop:

16 inch Denoyer Gepphert 

This floor globe is great its a big globe at 16 inches, plus meridian ring it really has a presence all it's own and it comes on an adjustable floor base. It is a  teaching globe as almost all Denoyer Gepphert globes were meant to be. This one shines because it's condition is near mint.  It really belongs in a collection of globes, or at the very least in a home where someone will appreciate that at nearly 60 years old this item has stood up to the test of time.  So is this awesome globe residing in my den right now, being admired and blogged about..........sadly no........why did i pass this great "antique of the future" up?  Well dear reader I was stupid, and it is my slow uptake that will win you this prize. I should have bought this but I had the blinders on and could not see it's potential until it was too late. Email me for the particulars and you can have this great globe nestled next to your Eames chair as you contemplate your mod mod life ...........just don't trip over the Herman Miller coffee table when you get up.....Hipsters.......

     OK OK the  regrets are piling up, here's another little gem:


   
 This is a really nice pre war Replogle globe, with a very nice original base, no dents, scratches, or lost map. It's a great 80 year old globe, perfect for someone who is starting out in the hobby, and at under $50 you will never get hurt owning this desk globe in fact it's a bargain at this price. I did not buy it because I don't need it in my collection, and I'm not much of a dealer, so it's waiting for the right person I bet you could bargain them to $35 or $40 and you will have a steal!  Again email me if you want the particulars so that you can locate this one for your own collection.

     I wanted to share this photo taken at one of the antique malls I visited, they were setting up a " back to school" theme by the main entrance that featured globes prominently.  The floor globe in the foreground was a post war Replogle, as it was being setup I overheard one dealer comment to another, " this is a really old globe, you just don't see old globes anymore"  Interesting observation I thought, I stayed mum of course  that little floor globe was at $49 another bargain I think as it was in nice shape.
     Below I need to share something that happens in every group shop or antique co-op in the world, the dealer who doesn't know what they have, is too lazy to look anything up, BUT !!!! dose not want to leave a nickel on the table lest someone with any knowledge, or a smart phone know more than they do about an item:

This was the good side!

This globe was in positively dreadful shape, absolutely nothing any serious collector would be interested in. Now who else other than a collector would consider $450 for a globe?  What is this dealer thinking?  I guess they are waiting for a fool and his money.




      I saw, and almost bought several other great globes that did not make it into this post, I usually see one or two globes when I go antiquing, I could not believe the number of globes at the antique stores this time.  Granted most were of no consequence, but some were real gems.  I hope that exposure to globes in generalist antique settings will spark a collecting interest in someone, It did for me.......