A great globe related book find..............or is it a catalog...........?

     OK,  so I've been looking for one of these books for quite a while. It is a publication that amounts to  essentially a 200 plus page ad for the AH Andrews company.  It's title, misleading and not reader friendly;  "A teachers guide to illustration: A manual to accompany Holbrook school apparatus "
     What is that title about.......?   Well as I mentioned it's a well disguised ad for all things Andrews. This is the twelfth edition, also I believe the last edition published from (1873).
     So why is this important...? Well it's a great reference to show how Andrews kept using the Holbrook name, many years after acquisition, and it's a great way to see how advertising was done in the mid 19th century.  It's quite a thing really to read through a book that is disguised essentially as a series of ads one after another for all manner of school apparatus disguised as a teaching guide.

Quite the shabby volume?

   So this is it a small rectangular volume about 8 inches by 5 inches hard bound with a guilt edge.  Inside A H. Andrews peppers the reader with all manner of come ons in an effort to lure your business for it's globes, teaching aids, and so forth. This book is packed with many illustrations that show the various apparatus including globes of course. In fact as a " teachers guide" there is a complete handbook to globes encompassing 83 of the total 211 pages.
     So this tome serves as both globe catalog as well as globe handbook for the combined Andrews/ Holbrook company circa 1873.   If nothing else it is a great " look behind the curtain" at the AH Andrews early years, the very start of Chicago globe making .

     These photos show the catalogue portion of this guide book,  I have obviously focused on the globe offerings but there are small write ups covering several other items in the Andrews repertoire.
    The last photo shows the price list for 1873, this I find fascinating because it is a snap in time. It really gives us insight into what these items cost 150 years ago. I found it strange that the Holbrook's 5 inch globe was $2.25,  but their 6 inch globe was more than double at $5.00 why such a price disparity .......?
     Questions like this are reason enough to find and read this great little guide.   I'll tell you the bit I have read was  pretty good for a sales text.  whoever wrote this was really trying to be informative, and not boring.   What good is a boring advertisement ?
      As I write this post I am completely aware of the fact that there are probably 8 other people in the world who even care that this book exists. Of those 8 probably zero will ever stumble across this post.......oh well perhaps I'll inspire a ninth!



I know your dying to know where you can get your hands on a copy of this wonderful gem!   Fear not!   Amazon.com  has got you covered with a reprint copy $26 hardback  $11 soft cover. Mine is original and was quite a lucky find.  I'll tell you that story now.  I was browsing Abe Books as I do from time to time looking for globe related items and I found buried in the deep reaches of the
site this copy for sale from Galloway Ireland! So I hurried up and ordered lest some other globe afficinado snatch it out from under me.  Truth be told it probably sat in that booksellers inventory for YEARS until I stumbled by. If you too want an original text then  Murray Hudson has a copy of this tome as well and here I that link : Guide to Illustration his edition is a bit older 1868.

     Thank you dear reader for letting me share this little globe tid bit with you I hope you are enjoying your hunt for globe treasures as much as I am!  

Great vintage globes to start a collection

     So let's say you've stumbled upon my blog because you want to start collecting globes, or perhapse you've purchased an old globe and now you're interested to know what else is out there and what you should look for starting out.  I want to use this post to try and show a few examples of great beginner globes.  Globes that would appeal to someone starting out, as well as globes that stand on their own as collection worthy items to build off as you embark on starting a collection.
     Now admittedly this list will be biased and certainly the most important rule still applies, that is buy what you like !!  With that said I want to attempt to lead you down the road with a few examples of globes that I think will stand the test of time as well as impress your friends when they ask about your new collection. ( my friends stopped asking years ago, they don't have 3 hours for a globe lecture) .  Anyhow here are a few favorites you should keep your eye out for.

12 inch Replogle starlight 1940's

1. Replogle Starlight globe,  Replogle has been making a version of the Starlight for over 1/2 a century it's a Replogle classic.  They started manufacture in the 1940's and I believe it continues today.  So what makes it special, well firstly it's a black oceans globe. Secondly it's readily available on eBay, and Etsy for generally $100 to $200 so it's a great way to add a black ocean globe to your collection for a sum of money that won't break the bank. That said it is an honest collectible globe.  It has desirability that will only increase over time.

 

Illuminated Replogle Starlight

      What to look for when shopping, well  condition is key, buy the best condition you  can find. Be particularly aware of chrome  pitting, and equator tape missing.  Secondly  the older the better, try finding a nice  example from the late 40's or early 50's .  It's  a great alternative to the more expensive Weber Costello black ocean  globes out there, but it has the same great look!  Now one last thought,  these were made as an electric illuminated globe also. They will cost more,  but finding one of those in nice shape is a really nice " move up " purchase  for an intermediate collector.

late 1950's Replogle Starlight

2. Rand McNally Art globe:  The Art globe is one of those globes that everyone who has spent any time around vintage globes at all is probably at least a bit familiar with .  Much like the Starlight it was produced for many years and in many styles different sizes and different bases are the hallmark of this great globe.   How do you know your looking at an Art globe? well the cartouche will be in the shape of a clam shell, and there will be several artistic embellishments throughout the globe in the oceans of ships and sea serpents that add artistic interest to this above the geography displayed.

Small 9 inch  1940's

     Rand McNally produced the Art  globe forever starting in the late 30's  and running through the 1970's at least. That means there are Art  globes out there to fit any taste or budget. Collectors should look for  pre war examples in excellent shape. Good examples from the 30's  or 40's can be had for $100 to $300 depending on rarity and  configuration. Rand McNally even made a floor model of this  popular globe, Art Deco bases of glass or Bakelite are most  valuable, but there is something for everyone here.

stepped glass base

  

Late 1930's  glass base

  Worth noting is the fact that these globes are readily available so as   a collector you should hold out for the best one you can afford, and   I'll tell you on eBay you can score quite a bargain on a nice Art    globe if you pay attention. Especially    on an under priced Buy it Now listing.  Look  for strong bright original colors. The one on  the glass base pictured at left shows the best  original color of my 3 examples. It was  supposed to be colorful to draw the eye and  make it as much about art as geography.










3. Crams silver ocean globes:  I'll admit I do not show the George F Cram company a lot of love on this blog. I ignore them quite frankly. Well that has to change because they did indeed make some very interesting globes that should be considered. At the top of the list are their short lived but impressive silver ocean globes.   Crams got their start in the early 1930's and as a company entering a crowded field, they had to be different. They were not shy about diversifying their offerings away from the traditional. One of those ideas were their line of silver oceans globes. A short lived offering lasting 1/2 a decade or so these are some of the most collectible Cram globes on the market.  Given their rarity you would think they would be expensive, and mint condition pristine examples are several hundred dollars for sure. However a perfectly nice example with minimal scuffs  and a nice bright finish can still be had in the $150 to $250 range.  Not a beginner globe but certainly a strong intermediate globe; the centerpiece of a respectable collection.
     They look so different than any other globes out there. They will appeal wildly to some, and turn off just as many.  So if you decide that you want one here's what to look for. The silver oceans themselves were prone to scratching. This is one reason they were taken off the market, the fact that they were not as robust as other color combinations. Also the equator tape can become damaged or parts will be missing. I would say all else being equal I'd rather have a silver finish in great shape with a bit of missing tape rather than the other way around. Finally these came in a wide variety of bases the metal bases were prone to scratches as they were simply painted. However I'd argue that the metal works better for the whole look than the wooden base, in my opinion.  The vast majority of these were 12 inch models. If you want a rarer version find a 10 inch model.  eBay gets it's fair share of these so it will be reasonably easy to find a nice one if you are patient. Dealers try to also have these on hand as they are popular, and getting more so.

4.  Weber Costello 8 inch globes:  OK so you've got a great black oceans globe and perhaps you've found one or two other globes that speak to you. What next?  Well you need the quintessential vintage globe you need something that will sit on your bookshelf and scream " serious antique!!"  Well you need one of these:  A Weber Costello 8 inch school globe. These were sold en mass to schools, and families alike, small enough to be easily moved around the classroom they were a staple of classrooms and homes from 1910 to 1940 they are what many people think of when they imagine what an old globe should look like. It's the tripod claw foot base that puts these in another time and place.   Weber Costello imported G W Bacon gores, and then retailed this globe as well as over labeling it and sending it through every school supply house they could think of.  It came offset mounted, full meridian mounted, and exceptionally rare it even came full mounted.  Below left I am showing a Weber Costello with Denoyer Gepphart over label from the late 1920's at bottom right is a Weber Costello Peerless from about 1910, this is an exceptionally early mount, all are 8 inch in diameter.   So what to look for, as with any globe condition rules, these will be the most costly of the 4 globes featured, and will vary the most based on condition. expect to pay between $275 and $400 for a nice example. Exceptional examples might be double that.  These come up on eBay monthly so patients will pay off and a nice one will find it's way to you in time. These are some of my favorites!

           
I want to summarize this information by saying that these are just 4 examples of great globes that a beginner or intermediate collector should be on the lookout for, there are two dozen other globes that fit that category also. I had to pick four of my favorites to showcase. Buy what you like and you'll never really go wrong.  It's all about the hunt for those serious collectors ............
         

****Picture credits,  all but one picture in this post comes from Dee at Upstarts, and Carolyn at Vintage Cals, both wonderful Etsy shops, both have links active in the links section of the blog, a big thank you to you both!!  The 1910 Weber pic is with permission of Purple mouse vintage also an etsy shop****




   

Some great globe related reading

     One of the goals of this site when I set out to start blogging was to try and bring together as much globe related information as I could. In this post I want to catalog some great links to articles and other works that are important to the history of globes in America.  To that end I'll start my list, I will periodically add, and occasionally subtract so come back and re check the list from time to time,  here are a few great links I've found, please drop me a line if you find anything great that should be shared here.

1.  Great article about James Wilson,   This is a great historical look at Mr. Wilson and his quest to make the first globes in America.

2.Restoring a Wilson globe , behind the scenes,  This is a fascinating look at the restoration of an 1811 James Wilson globe including 16 pictures of the process

3.The Osher Map Library's 3d globe project,  Now this is exciting, and this link is only a preview.  The Osher Map library in Portland Maine is digitizing in a 3d format all of their globe collection, some 300 pieces in all.  When this project is complete I will update this link!

4. Murray Hudson James Wilson globes 1831 This is a video produced by Murray Hudson a few years back. Focusing on James Wilson and a pair of 1831 globes. I had the pleasure of visiting Mr Hudson's stores ( he has 3) in Halls TN a couple of years back.  If you go know that it is a treck, and make an appointment before hand.  Other than that it is exceptionally well worth it.

The delight of building a collection of small globes

OK.....OK...I'll admit it I'm obsessed with small globes ( those 8 inches or less in diameter)  partly born from necessity;  that being I'm running out of display space.  Also  I'm just in love with the uncommon, and small globes are much less common than their 12 inch counterparts.   Five of the last six globes I've added to my collection are 8 inches or smaller in diameter.   For this collector good things do come in small packages.

A compendium of 19th century small globes

     Small globes in many cases were issued to or purchased for use by children. That's probably the main reason they are just not as abundant as 12 inch models.   The  appeal of small globes  comes into play when it comes to display space.  I have an exceptionally forgiving family, and this allows me to utilize about 400 square feet of our home to devote to a collection that currently numbers 22 globes and related ephemera. My wife does not want globes taking over the whole house and with two little ones I have to be fair to them as far as living in and enjoying just being kids, so small globes it is ( with some exceptions)

     I have to say though that there is just something great about a display of miniature worlds. This photo above spans 60 years of American globe production during the second half of the 19th century, and it could all fit comfortably on a single bookshelf! So what am I looking for when it comes to a small globe?  Well first and foremost condition, I preach condition constantly on this blog and It bears mentioning now, once again that it's better to buy a globe in great original condition rather than live with a damaged antique or spend hundreds or more repairing a globe. All things being equal a globe that is in great original condition will always be worth more than a globe that has been repaired to a similar condition.  The second thing I look for is who made it. Early makers or obscure makers will always be more desirable.  Schedler, Holbrook, Andrews, Rand McNally, they all made great globes that were as small as 3 inches in diameter.  Of course finding them..........that's another story.                      Something I've noticed regarding pricing for small worlds. All things being equal expect to pay a premium for a smaller globe, these globes are much harder to find and thus I generally expect a 20-50% premium price wise when they do turn up.

   

Joslin 1846 globe in depth part 2 of 2 : A deeper look at the Gilman Joslin company

     I want to continue my post about the fantastic Joslin 1846 globe with a bit more in depth look at both this globe and the Gilman Joslin company itself.  The Joslin brand as far as 19th century American globes is concerned is arguably the most often encountered examples of globes from this period.  With a production that spanned nearly 70 years from 1839 until at least 1905.
     Given this longevity you would think that there would be a lot written about this company , but my research has turned up precious little.  Here I will try to lay out a picture of this company so the next time we encounter a Joslin globe we can have the background.
     We know that Gilman Joslin worked for or with Josiah Lorring taking over globe production in 1839 but retaining the Lorring name for a line of globes past this date. We also understand from various historical sources that Joslin himself was initially involved in the manufacture of looking glasses, and was a skilled wood turner by trade.  According to Werner, Joslin employed about 5 people initially in the early 1840's in the manufacture of globes, 3 men and two women to be precise.

1855 school supply ad

     Gilman Joslin was not the first but was soon to be the largest American producer of globes. According to Rumsey the 1839 globe was a reissue of Lorring's last globe but now with Joslin's name.  In 1846 after Texas is annexed into the United states Joslin issues a completely new globe showing this new development.  They used the Boston firm of Annin & Smith for their engraving. Joslin would throughout their existence update gores periodically, and re engrave globe gores as major cartographic changes came on the scene. Later Joslin globes were engraved by another Boston firm G. W. Boynton.  Seen at right is a page from a school supply catalog dated 1855 their 6 inch globes are $5.00  a fairly substantial sum for that time.
     Something that always intrigued me was the fact that the Joslin company was very traditional in it's design of globes. They to my knowledge never issued a blue ocean globe even when their contemporaries in the UK and America did. They also stuck to the most traditional globe mountings of the period.  In addition to their conservative design they kept producing globes for many decades using the same mounts, year in and year out. Below are two six inch globes separated by roughly 40 years but even at first glance you can tell that they are both of the same maker.

c.1886 joslin globe left, and right Joslin 1846 globe

   
In this photo, the globe on the left retains the same style of mounting with only the slightest nod to keeping current with design trends. The brass meridians are essentially identical, and even the set screws match.   At the same time other American globe makers were attacking the cost of production aggressively with simplified mounts and different engraving methods that proved easier to update as well as being less expensive to make.  You see in America at that time selling to schools was where you made your money. The school market paid the bills. I can't help but speculate that as globe production moved west to Chicago along with population trends out west if this alone did not spell the demise of the Joslin firm.....?
     None the less they are fantastic globes to put in your collection, and as far as 19th century American globes go Joslin models are the most readily accessible from a pure availability standpoint as well as a cost standpoint.  I've always been puzzled by this; Joslin globes seem to come up for sale in far greater numbers than Holbrook/ Andrews globes even though they were active a similar number of years.  I have yet to find an answer for why that is. If any reader out there knows please chime in the comments or drop me an email.
      I want to finish this installment by bringing you back to the globe that got me thinking about all of this in the first place the Joslin 1846. I want to share with you a surprise this globe holds.

On the underside of the base  there is an inscription that says this globe was used by a Mr Sullivan while teaching school in Maine in 1852, it then explains how it was handed down through 1960. What a wonderful window into this globes history. I did look up via Google and the like, each of the people mentioned.  Suffice it to say the story makes sense from what I could ascertain. The family moved west in the late 19th century and this globe came from a southern California dealer very close to where some of the people mentioned in this inscription are laid to rest.   So bottom line somewhere in Maine in the early 1850's this globe was ordered via mail for $5.00 and when received was set to work teaching children geography.  Now that's why I collect globes!

Antique hunting websites , a completly biased review

   Well every now and then I like to spout off a post that is more opinion than researched fact. Completely slanted to my way of thinking. This,  dear reader is one of those posts.
     I want to delve deep into the world of online antiques outposts and I want to review them the good, the bad, and the ugly.  There are so many ways to find what your looking for it's time we had some clarity. For this exercise I will be tilted towards those online resources that a globe or map enthusiast might regularly visit eBay of course is foremost in our minds, and I'll save them for last. We all have eBay experience it is the other online outlets that will be unfamiliar.  Included with each review will be an embedded link to the home page of each website.  I do this without any certain loyalty to each site although to varying degrees I frequent them ,  so lets get started.

1. Fleaglass.com:  This is probably a fairly well known site to those of us who are in the market for mid range and higher antique scientific instruments. This site is fairly evenly split between US and European dealers who list their wares for sale in varying categories.   I have made exactly one purchase from a Fleaglass listed dealer and the piece was exactly as advertised and the dealer communication second to none. Once you've struck gold so to speak on a site it will forever be in your rotation.
      So the good, no junk that is to say that the barriers to entry of this site prevent fly by night wannabees from participating.  The bad,  there are no fly by night wannabees selling something completely misidentified for a fraction of what it's worth.  This is decidedly a retail price site expect no bargains, but also expect few hassles.

2. Etsy.com :  This site on first glance is all about handmade items, but dig just below the surface and you'll find a large segment of " vintage" wares for sale and that includes globes.  I'll expose my bias I have friends that sell on Etsy, and I've made new friends from having used Etsy.
     Now there are in fact a few globe and map specialists on Etsy and they are great resources for quality vetted items, and these sellers come with long histories of satisfied customers.  I however have not been one of them.........I've never purchased a globe on Etsy, but I've come damn close a handful of times.  I have used Etsy to purchase other non antique related items and I love the site, I love the handmade aspect.  In fact I've purchased some custom lighting that was " handmade" but was more like hand crafted in it's quality.  I've found prices on Etsy can be all over the map ( pun intended)  but generally you won't need a fist full of dollars to find something great. For me it will only be a matter of time before I buy a globe on Etsy,  maybe today.........

3. Ruby Lane.com : Hummm........ I don't really care for Ruby Lane,  OK I did once find a decent globe on this site, I overpaid, but that was my fault, but the bad taste lingers.   Ruby Lane's Wikipedia page is written like a press release from the company itself, I just checked...... Anyhow where to begin, the premise sounds so promising.  In a way this site should be awesome for the middle to low high end antiques hunter, and please correct me it might be stellar in certain categories, just not great with globes. I almost find myself reluctantly checking in almost like it's something I have to do rather than something I want to do.  It seems the merchandise I view on this site is stale, things linger for long periods of time it's the same 20 globes day in and day out,  yawn.......

4. Liveauctioneers.com :   This site is NOT  I will repeat NOT for the novice collector,  at least that's my take. Why do I say that?  Well simple two words " hidden fees"  Liveauctions ( I know I say the name wrong) is a website where hundreds of member auction houses compile all of their upcoming auctions in one spot so that you can easily search and find many of the same types of items for sale.  Again this is a great idea and I personally LOVE this site, it is in fact one of my favorites. You just have to go into it with eyes wide open. So here's how it works.  Search for and find your item, then you can either leave an absentee bid, or wait and bid live. If you win you will have to make separate arrangements with the auction house to safely ship ( extra cost) your item. You will also have to pay substantial buyers premium on top of your winning bid, this is an unfortunate reality with any auction house. However if you use Liveauctions be prepared for a fee as high as 25%  you see many auction houses charge a slightly higher fee to their customers using an online service, as a way to recoup their cost. After you run the gauntlet of fees, and taxes you'll have your item. Just be aware these charges are there.
     What I like to do is fine items on Liveauctions, and then go directly to the auction house to setup bidding, I have done this 3 separate times, cutting out one middle man saves money and so far so good.  I've come by an 1892 rand McNally, an 1880 Star Eraser and a 1928 J. Chein globe all in this manner.  Auctions are also not retail they are a price in the gray zone below retail, but above some rock bottom picker price. A nice place money wise to be, if you know what your doing.

5. 1stdibs.com  :  Are you reading my blog while reclined in your authentic Charles Eames chair,  are you reading this blog in the middle of the day because you've never had to work!  Well then have I got the site for you.  1st dibs is an elite site no way around that. It's pricing is Retail ++  and guess what? Yours truly has actually purchased a globe on this site once ( more on that later)
     The barriers to entry on 1st dibs are exceedingly high. First you must actually have a brick and mortar store, second, before they let you sell a member of 1st dibs will visit your store and judge your merchandise, third they charge a hefty monthly fee to their participating dealers.  OK then what have you got left.  Well what's left are the best of the best American Antiques dealers, this is their site. There are no middle of the road dealers, just the best and most exclusive dealers. These are by in large dealers who's merchandise is the best available at the time.  Buying from a 1st dibs dealer will come with a hefty price tag, but it will be as worry free as it gets for online antiques, these dealers will stand behind their merchandise 100% .   I bought a rare celestial globe from a 1st dibs dealer a few years back, and I certainly paid Retail, but I really wanted it and to this day I'm glad I did. Please don't get me wrong I am not your typical 1st dibs customer, far from it.   I may never buy from a dealer on this site again but every so often I check in just to see if there is that next awesome thing waiting, so far no but I'll keep checking.  Bottom line here If money is no object go for it!!

6. EBay : I won't even provide a link to this one.  I have written extensively about EBay in the past, but I'll repeat myself a bit now. I love EBay, I cannot think of a company that has changed commerce more than this company.  eBay  is a juggernaut.  It is the wild west of commerce, we can debate weather or not they charge to much, or weather shysters prey on unsuspecting people, yes counterfeit goods are rampant, but all of this notwithstanding eBay is retail church and I've been worshiping since 1999 !
     Here is why I'm in love with eBay, no other place rewards knowledge as much as eBay, if you are willing to become knowledgeable in your collecting field then eBay will,  over time reward you greatly.  I'm reminded of The Gotham Bookmart their slogan was " wise men fish here"  those words apply to eBay x10.  Knowledge is a double edged sword in a way, those without it or those who think they know more than they do will be burned and burned badly. There are so many pitfalls.  Now I buy globes with confidence, but there are whole swaths of the retail landscape that I admit that I don't know well enough to venture onto eBay and make purchases.  Buyer beware,  but I love the fact that knowledge is rewarded, my last globe purchase the 1846 Joslin is perfect example knowledge was absolute power that moment!!

     Well there you have it my take on some of the most popular antiques outlets on the web, there are others for sure but I wanted to pick the ones I seem to hit the most often.  Noticeably absent from my review are the specialist globe dealers George Glazer, and Murray Hudson.  I'm not going to review them as they are people, not companies. I will say that if you buy a globe from either of them you can buy with 100% confidence, they stand behind their wares as dealers 100%


P.S.  did you catch my 4 Clint Eastwood movie references...............

I remember the moment I fell in love with maps!!

     I'm feeling like a ride on the nostalgia train............I remember the moment yes the exact moment I fell in love with maps!!  In fact I still have the first map that I ever owned.  It's a fragile relic now but I found a photo of a similar one online and I'll share it now

Christmas day 1987 I fell in love with maps,  I suspect that some of you discovered your love of maps the exact same way!!    BTW I still know this one by heart!! 

Gilman Joslin 1846 globe, 170 years of history in your hand part 1 of 2

     This post is going to be a bit different,  usually when I add a new globe to my collection I give it a post and explain a bit about the item and why I found it special. Today I'm going to do that and a whole lot more.  You see today I want to talk about an exceptional find that came my way in a wholly unexpected way.  Today I want to offer you, dear reader a peek behind the curtain from start to finish of a rare globe purchase.
     I go fishing on eBay every day.  Some of you will read this and know exactly what I'm talking about, others will just be confused. I have favorite searches that get checked every day, multiple times a day in some cases ( guilty....) and the vast number of times you searches turn up empty. Every once in a while though..............this is a story of one of those times.........
     Tuesday 11/1/16 was a busy day for myself, kids, appointments, a doctor visit, one of those days when you just don't have time to breathe, you know...   Well as the day was winding down I was between appointments and I figured " ya know I better check eBay, I haven't yet today"  and I was scrolling through the usual dross that is the globe section when a very interesting listing caught me.  The listing said " Joslin six inch globe on stand 1846 excellent condition"  WOW  that headline grabbed me for sure,  it was a buy it now or best offer auction, here is a screen shot of the auction:
     As you can see perched next to a Diet Coke can for size reference is a very old American globe, the pictures and the description said a lot, they suggested that this globe was in excellent original condition, and judging from the pictures I felt as if I needed to act fast,  but I needed more information, I'm sorry but I just can't throw a grand around without researching things a little bit more. So I sent a few questions to the seller.  Well I sent quite a lot of questions to the seller, a bit of a risk because in the interim another buyer could have easily executed the BIN option and all of my study and inquiry would have been rendered moot!  A chance I had to take because I wont make a substantial purchase without my appetite for full information satisfied.   I don't recommend anybody go into a purchase especially one over the Internet until all questions are answered , that's really Internet buying rule 1!!
     OK so I sent off my litany of questions and I waited impatiently for a response, minutes later much to my delight the seller answered and removed any doubts that I had, this globe was the real deal so to speak.  Now the nitty gritty....... negotiating the price.
     This eBay listing was set up as a very straight foreword buy it now or make offer,  now when a seller says make offer in the listing, then that in my mind is a 100% green light to negotiate for a lower price. Again with this item, and being that this listing was only hours old, I took a bit of a gamble making an offer.   At any time a full price buyer could have swooped in and bought this globe right out from under me.   Now for those of you who know me I'm all about the deal.  I can't help trying for a great deal.   So with this in mind I did some quick research on this globe, and determined what a solid fair offer would be.  I did this by primarily looking at auction results over the past few years that featured similar Joslin globes. I came to understand that this seller was not being too off the mark at $1050 but that didn't stop me. I offered $800 and much to my delight it was accepted straight away...........should I have gone lower?.........lingering doubt.  The answer is no, and here is why. A price of $800 according to my research is right where the market is for such a globe, yes retail prices are much higher quadruple in fact. Auction price is another animal all together.  I based my fair price on this recent sale: Northeast auctions, Joslin globe sale   this link will take you to a recent auction where this globe crossed the $1000 hammer price, netting $850 for the consignee minus any fees so I surmised that this globe could and should sell near this price minus commission and fees.  Lower and I would have been in danger of " low balling" the seller, and believe me it's better to arrive at a fair price for both sides rather than be a jerk!  One more thing about listing items on eBay that are many hundreds into a thousand dollars or more, please include shipping !!  This seller did it is the right move, were not talking $20 items these are expensive,  just include shipping, that's the classy move.
     So then lets examine this small treasure a 170 year old American globe:

 According to Werner(1) Gilman Joslin worked for Josiah Loring and in 1839 took over his globe making operation it is that year ( 1839) that Joslin issued his first globe.  That globe would be revised periodically until 1846 when Joslin issues his second newly engraved globe.  It is that which we are faced with here a splendid Joslin 1846 globe 170 years of history in your hand.  Quite literally in your hand because this is a 6 inch globe and stands a mere 9.5 inches tall.  I will throw out an assumption here, the Texas republic ceased to exist on on December 29, 1845 (2) when Texas was annexed into the United States. This event I'm sure prompted the issue of a new globe for the following year. Notice the US boarder includes newly admitted Texas, but still does not include the southwest states we know today those states continued in 1846 to be part of Mexico.  Alaska on this globe is a long way from being part of the USA here it is Russian America.
     Africa is detailed around it's edges and the vast center of the continent is labeled simply "unexplored".  The fact that this globe has a date stamped right in the cartouche is noteworthy because later on this became a rare thing because dating a globe makes it in a way instantly obsolete.  this practise was nearly unheard of towards the turn of the twentieth century.
     A young globe maker in a very young nation made this globe in Boston, and it was retailed for $5.00 a substantial sum at that time.  The United States in 1846 was a completely different place apart from city centers near major waterways the vast majority of the country was very sparsely populated.
     As an artifact this example of Joslin's handiwork remains in excellent original condition, with many fewer issues than most globes to have survived this long. Another beautiful combination of wood, metal, and paper, scientific, historic and artistic,  at least in my opinion.
     This globe was I'm sure primarily used as a student or classroom globe due to it's size. It is quite detailed and was hand colored by one of 5 Joslin employees.  This globe in my mind tells a story of a young nation and it's belief in manifest destiny.






source list:
(1) Werner Deborah, Rittenhouse Journal, 1985

(2) Wikipedia,  where else.......

Globes in London, ..... even when I'm vacationing I see globes......

     I was fortunate enough to be a vacationer in London earlier this past month and of course I'm always on the lookout for globes,  well globes just have a way of finding me below I'll share a few of my run ins of the cartographic sense.

1. Stanfords, Covent Garden:  This lovely store was spotted by my wife as we were walking by, she stops abruptly and announces" well we have to go in here!"  What a great place, Stanfords is a store that sells everything map, travel, and globe related, it is a great place to browse and buy anything cartographic, and current. Here are a sampling of the globes on display, all new and accurate, certainly a great place to spend a few minutes just looking around.

2.  The Museum of London:   What a great but I suspect sometimes overlooked museum in London.  Very near to St Paul's Cathedral.  This museum traces London's growth and change through the ages.  It also provided me with an up close and personal globe experience. 

Both of these globes were on display as examples of London's manufacturing advancement in the late 18th century, a Newton pocket globe and a larger Newton library globe captivated visitors.




3. Finally the British Library had some awesome treasures of a cartographic nature, both maps and globes were displayed, but the real excitement happens in November 2016.  A new exhibit opens that promises to bring some of the gems of their collection to the forefront.  Here is a photo of the ad for that coming attraction........

     I want to close this post by saying that I appreciate your patience with me as I did go longer than I would have liked between posts.  I never like to let more than 4 weeks lapse without a post but sometimes life has other plans.  As always lets discuss,  and don't forget to sign up as a blog follower in the right sidebar!!

Gilman Joslin 6 inch school globe, a rare find

     I want to show you a great little globe that has made it's way into my humble collection.  A Joslin's 6 inch school globe.  This gem of a globe has been on my most wanted list for quite awhile and finally my treasure hunt is over.  Six inch globes are the smallest size that Joslin made; as with many American globes of this size this model was most likely destined for a student's hands. Purchased either by a school district for classroom use, or by fortunate parents for home study. This globe would have retailed for about $5.00 in 1885.  The orb is 6 inches in diameter and it is mounted with a graduated 1/2 meridian. The stand is of an ebonized wood, and the whole thing tops out at just under a foot tall.
     This acquisition continues my trend of buying small, becoming a necessity as space is coming at a premium these days.  But I must say for a small package you could scarcely find a more elegant presentation.   This example is nicely preserved, a bit dirty especially in the northern hemisphere, and with a bit of wear to the base all in all a nice presentation. In fact this globe shows the correct and expected wear that suggests that nobody has tried their hand at armature cleaning or restoration, and that's a great thing!!

      This globe presents a simplified map surface that makes dating this globe particularly difficult, Congo Free State is delineated in Africa, although not named, no state boarders are shown in America so my best guess is that this globe came into existence after 1885, but probably before 1895. Here is a great link to another example of this globe at the : Boston Public Library  They seem to think it's 1870's I think that's a bit optimistic. Six inch globes that early probably would have had a stained wood base not an ebonized one. 

     This globe comes "farm fresh" right out of a New Hampshire estate.   It goes to show that these old globes are still able to be found with their original owners and not always in the antique dealer stream, although this is quite an early example to be found this way. Seeing as this globe had to pass through at least 3 generations before being scooped up by yours truly.  This globe owes it's place in my collection to the efforts of one of my best friends, and fellow globe enthusiasts, she knows who she is........Thanks again!!  Here's a handy estate sale tip, if the closet is full of Depends, don't buy anything upholstered......stick to the case goods.
     You know Joslin was one of those east coast firms that fizzled out after the turn of the century. Beaten by the Chicago upstarts and their fresher take on the manufacturing/ marketing process As well as  stiff price competition, Schedler was another victim of the juggernaut that was the Chicago based firms.  Below I have assembled a shot of this Joslin globe and a Rand McNally school globe also from the same time period.  The Joslin globe was about five dollars, and the Rand McNally was about 1/2 that price.  If you are a school district, or for that matter a parent it's hard to justify paying double for the Joslin when the Rand McNally was perfectly serviceable.     You know there is quite a story to be told about the American globe makers move from the east coast to Chicago, a microcosm of manufacturing trends in the late 18th century, fodder for another blog post for sure..........

Joslin globe on left, Rand McNally on right, both 6 inches

   

 As always, lets discuss things, and please if you have a small globe especially a Joslin, or Andrews, or Schedler just gathering dust in uncle Ebenezer's attic well what are you waiting for, he's not going to miss it!!   sell it to me!!!!

Globe ephemera wanted.......!!!

Ok  I'm probably the only person your going to find who gets excited about these things, but that's alright, the rest of you just don't know what your missing,  and that's good for me!   I LOVE globe ephemera, that is items that accompanied globes or advertised globes, think trade cards ( I missed a killer trade card on eBay recently)  ads for globes, sales brochures, catalogs, globe manuals and all of those other paper items that went along with globes that all to often were just thrown out.
     Let me show a piece that did not get away :

 These photos are from a globe manual that accompanied the Rand McNally  Celestial globe and star finder.  A worthless booklet to 99.999% of the population , but priceless to those few persons who actually own the globe that this manual was originally paired with.  Would you beleive that this manual actually garnered a   " book review" in the journal of the Franklin institute in 1932 here is that link: Astronomy Made easy, book review   It is interesting to realize a bit of information from this review that is that Rand McNally introduced this line of celestial globes after a period of time when celestial globes had fallen out of favor. The review states that 4 versions of the 8 inch celestial globe and star finder were offered ranging in price from $12-$30.
     Well.... bottom line these tid bits such as this manual are important to collectors. I want to say that I am always looking for globe catalogs, manuals and advertising from major American globe makers such as Holbrook, Joslin, A. H. Andrews, Weber Costello, and of course Rand McNally if you have any of this material for sale please contact me directly and I think we could come to terms!

***UPDATE  8/30/16***   Just today I got my hands on an amazing little item, an original Rand McNally globe catalog from the early 1930's perhaps 1930 or 1931 here is a picture of the cover:

It's a great resource, some pages are even color, and it's interesting to see prices, and available items from that time period, for example they made a series of slated globes, but I've never seen one for sale.............humm..........

Globes for sale, Heymann globe from about 1900, Rand McNally globe from about 1922

Hello fellow globe enthusiasts I rarely sell anything from my collection, but as my collection has evolved I find it necessary to once in a while sell an item that no longer fits my core.  Today I am offering 2 such items for sale a Ludwig Julius Heymann globe from about 1900 and a Rand McNally globe from about 1922.  I'll describe both in detail with pictures

1. Heymann globe:  This is a German globe printed about 1900   Sweden and Norway appear to be united, Congo Free state is in Africa.  The globe is in German and has a decidedly European look.  It's size is desirable at 19 cm ( almost 6 inches)  The geography presented on such a small globe is remarkably detailed, much more detailed than many 6 inch globes of the time. One great feature of this globe are the ocean currents prominently displayed very visually appealing. This was no doubt a student globe at the turn of the 20th century, what a remarkable survivor!   It is elegantly mounted on a wooden base, and offset at 23 degrees. It spins freely and is a substantial 17 inches tall.
     I really love this globe it is so elegant, it has such a presence on my bookshelf.  The wooden stand does have some wear to the finish, and there are some minor abrasions here and there on the map.  It is after all 116 years old, but over all a really nice presentation.  As I've mentioned before globes smaller than 12 inches in this case a near 6 inch orb are becoming exceptionally hard to find, in any shape let alone in as presentable a shape as this,  best hurry!!!

 Please review the pictures, if interested I will send along more pictures.  I'm asking $225 plus shipping  for this particular globe quite a bit less than many retail outlets would list this item for.  Just email me through the blog if interested .







2.  ***UPDATE SOLD***The next globe I'm offering for sale is a great Rand McNally 12 inch desk globe from about 1922. Central Australia is NOT yet present on this globe, and the boarders of Egypt are those of early 1920's  This is a vibrant and substantial globe that I've had in my collection for almost a decade.  The orb has no dents, scrapes, or cracks it is near pristine, the base is in the art Nouveau style ad is also in remarkable presentation. Truthfully you would be hard pressed to find a nicer example of this globe. It spins freely and stands about 22 inches tall the orb is 12 inches.
     In the interest of full disclosure, the shellac on this globe was professionally re-done and the brass finial was remade professionally, you would not have been able to tell had I not mentioned either, as both jobs were handled by globe experts.  That said it's the nicest example of this globe around.  I'm asking $375 plus shipping for this beauty MUCH below what a retail seller would ask.  Again see the pictures and email me with any questions ***UPDATE SOLD***

Although this great Rand McNally sphere is sold, the Heymann globe is still available,  a great smal globe that is getting harder to find

Great antiquing can still be found in Lancaster PA

     This past week had me out on the antiques trail in Lancaster Pennsylvania. What a beautiful place to visit, yes thay are famous for the Amish but they are also a hotbed of antiques.  All along route 272 between Denver and Adamstown PA there are a string of great places to find great antiques still.  I suppose being an easy drive from Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia helps the flow of good merchandise as well as the monied buyers necessary to keep brick and mortar shops open.  A great experience that is getting harder and harder to find in the US and I suspect harder to find in many other places also.  A tip to would be hunters, Adamstown PA runs 3 weeks of what they call Extravaganzas the last full weekends of April, June, and September.  If you can hit this area during one of those weeks for even more variety !
     I want to share some globe highlights,  some real treasures were seen, none purchased  but that means they are there for you...!!

Above a rare globe toy and original box, above left a very nice if over priced Trippensee Tellurian. The tag says 1930's but the electric cord says 1960's.  Buyer beware on the antiques hunt
   On the left a real gem a pre 1900 Rand McNally 6 inch globe, the orb was in exceptional preservation, and a decent find at $380












On to another venue where I spotted this mid 1920's  French globe. Priced at $575 I was told that a 20% price flexibility was not out of the question, The orb was in nice shape and if you are looking for that quintessentially French globe then it would be hard to beat this one.





I love this shot, below none of these globes is particularly special, but this dealer obviously could not pass up a globe when they saw one, or a cocktail shaker for that matter!



Last but not least I want to air a grievance I have against the antiques industry, below I show you a Replogle globe game, with none of the original pieces and a nice but no where near perfect globe.  This thing is priced as if it is all there, and in much better condition.  It would be like selling a vintage Monopoly set but all of the money, and chance cards were missing.  How much is 1/4 of a game set worth?  well $110 apparently.  If you're going to charge over $100 for something isn't it worth the time to at least Google it......?










    I love getting out and seeing antiques close up, the internet is really a double eadged sword.  Antiques become more accessable, but at the expense of traditional shops where you can put your hands on the goods.  Such is life in the Amazon age.....