Collecting globe related items part 2: Toys, and banks

     What do toys, novelties, and banks have to do with collecting globes.  Where is the line between a "toy" globe and a serious globe meant for study?  Well today we're going to find out, or more likely we will blur the definitions more, and come out even more confused than when we started. Anyway lets dive in!
     J Chein was an American toy company specializing in tin toys from the early 1900's until the late 1970's.  Based in Burlington NJ this company produced several globe related items that bear examination here:

J.Chein 1930 tin globe

J. Chein globe bank

J.Chein UN globe 1950's

      All of these items are common and readily available at flea markets, garage sales, and of course eBay.   All of these have simplified but accurate maps that a child learning geography could both comprehend and benefit from.
     Let's look more closely at the 1930 globe.  Toy?  Serious globe?  Let's examine this toy in the context of it's creation, this globe began manufacture very late in the 1920's, and continued with regular geographic updates until at least the 1950's.  At 4 inches diameter it is small but surprisingly accurate for what it is.  I look at this globe and I think that in the 1930's when the bulk of these were made a parent, perhaps suffering financially from the great depression might decide to buy this "toy" for their child knowing that it could, and would serve double duty as a functional globe, notice the graduated 1/2 meridian. J. Chein certainly saw this toy as a hybrid product.  Perhaps the least expensive way to give a child a globe at the time.
     Continuing in the same vein this more elaborate J. Chein UN globe from the 1950's is also in my mind a hybrid product, probably even more tilted toward study than toy. Just think of the political aspects this globe addresses, combine that with an inexpensive easy to update tin litho construction, and as a company you've got a winner on your hands.
     On the above right we have a J. Chein globe bank, there are very easy to come by, were many times used as give aways by local banks, and certainly tilt towards the toy category.  Fun with a purpose I think because the maps on these little banks were regularly updated to reflect current geography.
 
     In the same vein as J. Chein was another toy maker turned globe producer Ohio Art. This company will be familiar to all of us reading this because Ohio Art makes the ultra famous Etch-A-Sketch toy.
     Long before Etch-A-Sketch was a household name this company, based in Bryan Ohio ( still to this day) made tin lithographed toys, including globes.  In fact Metal Lithography is their largest market, not toys.  Below I show an example of a Tin Lithographed globe from Ohio Art:

Ohio art Atlas globe

This stamped tin globe is from the 1930's and features a deco style Atlas supporting the world. A geographically accurate globe, simplified for a child's level of understanding. A toy, yes, but also a viable teaching apparatus, notice the full graduated meridian.

     Well if toy companies are going to start making globes, then logically globe manufactures are going to start making toys. That is exactly what Replogle Globes did in the early 1950's  they came out with a series of globe related toys, but as we will see in a minute their focus never strayed too far from learning.
     Below I want to show you an example of a couple of Replogle's toys that all hit the market in the early 1950's First up a simplified metal lithographed student globe:

6 inch lithographed Replogle globe

   




This inexpensive globe was much more colorful and more simplified than Replogle's standard globe offerings of the early 1950's it also included a booklet that featured games, and globe related exercises that could be performed with the globe.
     Replogle was not particularly successful with their line of toy globes and globe games, nice examples of these are not nearly as easy to find as other globe toys. Here is another example of their foray into the novelty market.  Below I'm showing an example of Replogle's Globe Grams game. This was a step even further into toys for a company that really had no history in the toy business. A fairly straightforward game using the globe as a spinner as well as game board.  I can't imagine many of these survive in complete condition.

Replogle Globe Grams

    So are these objects toys that happen to have a globe as part of their make up; or are they globes first onto which a game or learning activity has been grafted?  Isn't a globe not meant for learning in it's purest form anyhow?
     Do any of these objects featured in this post belong in a globe collection?
     How do we as collectors process this information?
     I think it's simple, if these appeal to you great look for them,and collect them. Be aware these are not rare, not in the least so focus your energy on finding the best  examples of these as possible, you may even be able to score " in box" examples eventually!
     In my opinion some of the globes here do indeed belong in my collection of globes. I'm rather partial to the very first item we looked at the small J. Chein globe, tin or not I really think that this globe is in fact a great example of the  American free market.  What do I mean by this? Well when times get tough the tough get going right! Here a resourceful toy company saw a chance to tap a completely different market. When J. Chein made it's 4 inch globe, and then took the same cartographic lithography and applied it to banks it  opened two new avenues for their products just in time for the great depression to hit.  Did globe banks and 4 inch student globes "save" this company during those difficult times? I have no idea, but judging by the number of surviving examples of these two items they certainly did their part!  I'm still looking for just the right example of this globe, many survive so there is no need to settle.
     Now I know what some of you are thinking, Kyle....you've forgotten the grandaddy of all globe toys  the Geographic Educator Puzzle globe....... not to worry I have not forgotten it, that toy is so unique and the company behind it such a flash in the pan that it deserves it's own separate post.....to be continued..........


Research notes, Ohio Art's own website provided their own history, Wikipedia provided J. Chein's history, all photos courtesy of Vintage Cal's etsy archives.

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.......

Library of Congress Geography and Map Division visit Part 1

     Well summer vacation took me to Washington DC for a few days, let me tell you if you like heat and crowds you will LOVE...DC in the summer, but  I had the pleasure of visiting the Geography and Map reading room at the Library of Congress ( completely devoid of tourists, and VERY air conditioned ) .   Within their vaults in the basement of the Library's Madison building they house literally millions of maps, and.......... wait for it............about 200 globes....... paltry in comparison, but this still makes for one of the largest publicly available collections of globes, certainly the largest focused on American globes.   Many of the globes in the Library's collection were gifts to the library, and some were purchased on the open market.
     So let's get to it and see some globes, first up a James Wilson 3 inch globe:
     This lovely specimen was on display in a glass cabinet at the front of the reading room, it sits in remarkable preservation, and for an American globe from the 1820's it really shows Wilson's skill as a globe maker.  Take a minute as I did to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into this tiny globe, the stand is so disproportionate to the item it's supposed to hold.   Not on display was it's celestial counterpart.

Wilson's 3 inch globe 

Next to this small globe sat the oldest Wilson globe I've ever encountered a 13 inch specimen from 1811  here are a couple of photos:

Dated 1811, Albany NY

    In addition to globes on display you can search their catalog and request to see something that interests you that is not on display.  Here is a Loring globe that I requested to see because of it's exceptionally early date of manufacture , and bowing to English standard setting this is a 9.5 inch globe

This Loring globe pre dates Gilman Joslin's involvement with globes,I find it  interesting that Wilson engraved his own gores, Loring primarily used gores from England and assembled the rest in Boston, a practice that many early 20th century globe makers continued.  

     The Library houses it's globe collection way high up on shelves that take a ladder to access, the vault curator confirmed my suspicion that these globes are called for very infrequently. I got the impression that perhaps years pass between viewings, a shame really. 

     All of the Library's globes are housed inside custom made plexiglass cubes that you can rotate to see the entire object, ingenious and surely expensive but the ultimate in preservation.

In part two I want to explore some unusual American globes.......what you say Wilson and Loring are unusual....HA they are completely commonplace as compared to what I have to show you next..........

Update:  11/17/15:  The LOC blog has a great article about James Wilson and his globes

             here is the link:   James Wilson globes at the LOC

A quick update post

      Summertime is short where I live, It's been a while since I posted but this time of year it's just too hard to sit indoors and concentrate, but fear not loyal reader I have a couple of great posts coming up soon.
     I'm taking a trip to Washington DC to visit the Library of Congress and view their extensive collection of globes, and globe related items, including un mounted gores from some of America's greatest globe makers.   Expect to see an update in about a week or so.

until then enjoy summer like I am and happy hunting!

BELOW:
I'm always on the hunt when I travel, I swung into a great antique co-op in Pennsylvania during a recent road trip, and this great school map was waiting for me. Way out of my comfort zone but it was just too good to pass up and a bargin I think at $75 !
It's not terribly old ( 1960 )  the reverse has a map of the world, the frame allows for easy display of either side.

Collecting globe related items part 1. Globe related ephemera

     OK so you've purchased some nice globes, check,  now maybe you have added a map or two perhaps one of great personal interest, check.......well what else is out there........?   Well there is a whole world ( get it world, ha ha )  of globe related collectibles that you might be interested in.  So what are globe related collectibles?  Anything that has to do with the globe, could be a catalog, or a Manuel. Globe toys, banks, or other novelty items are also included.  Other planetary models, solar systems, ectera might also be lumped in.  These are items that I think deserve attention, and might be of interest to some collectors and might be blasphemy to others.  I know a collector who in addition to  some nice globes focuses his attention on antique telescopes!  Well they certainly are related, and beautifully so.
    I'd love to give some examples of some collecting that is in this broad category.  I am always on the lookout for catalogues, manuals, fliers, and ads for globes. These transient paper items are known as ephemera; basically anything that was made to advertise or compliment a globe made of paper.  Weber, Rand McNally, Andrews, Holbrook, Crams, they all made this material and I try to acquire it when I can.  Below I'm showing a few examples of  " globe ephemera"  I've collected over the past couple of years, you see I just started looking for these items myself, but what great additions in their own right.
     I want to share an exceptional find with you, on eBay  I purchased a rare copy of Andrews Tellurian Globe Manual published 1885.  This booklet acompanied the Andrews Tellurian and was an extensive guide for teachers to use so that they could best demonstrate sun earth and moon movements with the device. This copy is complete no missing pages, some foxing to the binding otherwise in nice condition for what it is. Too bad it is no longer attached to the Telurian.....
I hope to change that   Someday.......

      This next group of pictures shows a group of A.H. andrews correspondence dated 1873 an interesting assemblage. Essentially it was a "cold call" to a local government official requesting a list of school officials, in exchange for this list the sender would receive a subscription to some sort of newsletter.  If you think about it not a bad way to find new customers pretty ingenious given the limits of the time.   Also interesting is the continued use of the Holbrook name more than 10 years after acquisition by Andrews.  I paid  less than $5 for this little gem a bargin for these nuggets of history.

     The next photo is a grouping of 2 globe Manuels from the the 1930's and 40's as well as a school supply catalog from 1923. Page 115 shows globes priced from $4.55 to $34.10   I love these bits of knowledge about the price of these globes when they were new, puts things in perspective a little bit.
     The fact that a school supply catalog even survives 90 years on and was purchased for less than the cost of the least expensive globe advertised is the real treasure!

     These are just a few quick examples of the type of globe ephemera that is lurking out there, needles in a haystack for sure but when found are usually very reasonably priced.  Everything on this post was found on eBay, and I'll tell you I've missed more of it than I found because I don't search as rigorously for these items as I do for the globes themselvs. Other places to find this material include specialized epherema dealers, there are quite a lot of them out there suprisingly.  Old paper items are very popular with collectors.

***If your reading this post and you have any globe related paper materials that you are interested in selling please contact me via email I might be interested in purchase!***

The Skinner sale April 25, 2015 Vera Rubin globe collection

     Skinner Auction house in Boston held a Clock, Watches, and Scientific Instrument sale April 25th 2015 that included a very nice collection of globes from American Astronomer  Vera Rubin.
     A little background on this remarkable woman who assembled this great collection of globes, Vera Rubin is as mentioned an Astronomer who holds degrees from Vassar, Cornell, and Georgetown, she is also the recipient of The Presidents National Medal of Science ( 1993) , among many other awards.  Ill say I knew nothing of Dr. Rubin until I read up on her before the Skinner sale, but the more I read the more fascinated I was.  The description of her Astronomical study, even in the simplified Wiki format flummoxed me. Suffice it to say that we need to celebrate women like Vera Rubin as role models for our daughters, and perhaps celebrate the Kardachians a bit less...........
     Did I mention she collected globes........well yes, and they were part of a recent auction. The Sale with a link here: Skinner Sale    Featured about a dozen lots of antique globes, and celestials.  Being an astronomer you will not be surprised that many of the globes offered were of the celestial variety.
     One of the most noteworthy in my opinion were a pair of globes from George Phillip and sons London please follow the link here:  Phillips 6 inch globe pair  This delightful pair was estimated at $400-$600 but blew those numbers away with a hammer price of $1,722 including premium.  Now that's a lot of money for a small pair of globes from the 1920's......Or is it?   You see this lot demonstrates the power of having a pair. Collectors love a pair of items, the magic of a set! That, and exceptional condition drove this  lot to the lofty price Given that assembling a pair would take an incredible amount of time searching, more than justifies the price.
     I want to mention one more standout Lot 212 a Gilman Joslin 16 inch celestial table globe linked here:  Joslin 16 inch celestial globe   I want to use this globe to illustrate desirability.  This globe checks all the boxes:  great condition,  hard to find size, and celestial sphere rarity, sold for $2,700 this was a bargain considering that at 125-130 years old these don't come up very often, I'm betting the buyer owns the terrestrial counterpart, even if not whoever bought this globe bought one of the nicest examples of a Joslin celestial globe you will find, and the impressive 16 inch size only adds to the rarity of this beauty.
     I encourage you to follow the links, and browse this sale, globes start at lot 211 but there are many more great scientific instruments and such that are related. These auction archives are the best way I've found to get a sense of what's available in the antiques market, as well as where prices are falling for different categories of antiques and collectibles ( always a moving target)
   

Globe conservation and protection part 2 Renaissance wax review

     I'm always looking for ways to protect my collection from environmental concerns, weather that be sun exposure  ( previous post)  or the subtle effects of dust, handling, and humidity.  I'll admit that I might be a little late to the party on this one : Renaissance wax, this product is a microcrystalline wax developed by the British Museum in the 1950's as a polish, and protectant for it's collection.
     Ok so I was introduced to this product by Omniterrum and then again by another friend and collector who was using it with his collection. Well I thought ....I gotta try this stuff.  So I ordered a 200 ml jar of this wax, and I got started.
     This wax is oil based ( and it smells the part)  but surprisingly even indoors vapors and fumes are not a problem. Upon first opening the package I thought I might have to setup in the garage to use this stuff, not so, no lingering odor whatsoever.  The same can't be said for most furniture waxes, boy your whole house smells for 3 days after you've waxed the credenza.....but I digress....
     Lets start with some before and after pictures shall we:

RandMcNally base before

RandMcNally base after

Rand McNally base after wax

    So these two pictures above  show a before and after application of Renaissance wax. The pictures do not necessarily do this product justice the after is defiantly cleaner, and brighter but without being glossy and plastic looking, a muted sheen that adds to and accentuates the existing patina.  Here is another picture of another globe base that had always troubled me.
     This globe base on the right is from a 1930 Rand McNally library globe a nice globe, but the base had always been it's weakness. Despite my best efforts the base of this globe was always a bit drab, the richness of the wood lost in a dull finish. Enter the Renaissance wax and a little elbow grease and a glowing deep shine was resulted.
     Below another globe base with a dramatic deep shine, a Weber Costello base:
               
                                                                     

     

Weber Costello base after wax

You're probably wondering what about the globe orb? Well yes this product is indeed safe to apply right onto the surface of the orb itself, I have already treated 3 of my pieces and there is a definite difference in the before and after, but not enough of a difference that my phone camera was able to pick up. This product is defiantly most dramatic on metal and wood. However The wax was able to impart a sheen and lend a depth to the colors of the globe orb. It is not a cure all. if the shellac is missing, or very warn this product is not going to replace the missing finish. What it will do is enhance the old finish, protect from dust, dirt, and the general environment as well as lend a slight sheen to the finish. All said a nice result for the time and effort. Best of all it is safe, and already trusted by museums world wide. 

     Now that you have seen the potential results lets get down to the nitty gritty. The how to segment...

For best application you will need pure cotton cloths, at least two, one for application and one for buffing. Try and find lint free cotton cloths, old t-shirts actually work really well.  I have been told that for buffing the wax nothing beats a horsehair brush, a reader and fellow collector has tried this with great results, but use 100% horse hair only, no synthetics!   When it comes to wax application, a little goes a long way. I can't stress this enough don't get carried away applying a thick film of wax, all you are doing is wasting product and wasting time buffing off the excess. Remember 99% of a good wax job is in the removal of the wax leaving a microscopic invisible film behind.
     Unlike furniture wax, or car wax for that matter this wax dries very quickly after application, minutes not hours are involved in letting this stuff cure.
     Some specific tips related to application to a globe orb:
1. take your time, most damage to antiques occurs during routine handling, so plan ahead and slow down.
2. Be careful, apply wax with a light touch, you don't have to buff the wax into the globe, a light easy motion works best.
3. when buffing the wax, go slow, be gentle, this product removes easily, and if you used the proper amount there will be not too much to take off
4. Remove all the wax, but don't over buff, unlike a wooden or metal piece you are not going to burnish the wax less is more here!
5. Before you tackle a delicate surface like a globe orb practice on something less delicate like a piece of furniture, or  similar. Get some familiarity it really is a versatile product.

Finding this wax is easy, I purchased from Amazon, but there are many outlets that sell it, expect to pay $20 US plus shipping, and that 200ml container will probably last you years even if you use it all over the house!
     I'm probably going to go further with this product, but will I use it on every piece of my collection?  Not sure.....in the mean time I think I'll just sit back on the davenport and admire progress so far.


P.S Is that the Paw Patrol lookout tower in the background of my pictures?  Yes...Yes it is....

As always I'd love to hear from fellow collectors, comments always welcome, or drop me a line via email.  happy hunting...
   

Andrews celestial globe.......the stars aligned to find this one!

     I want to share something that, when I saw it I thought " wow I never figured that I'd find that."  A12 inch full mount A.H. Andrews celestial globe.

A.H. Andrews full mount celestial globe

     This find reminds me of exactly why I love this hobby so much.  A perfect blend of art and science, equal parts sculpture and scientific instrument.  Dare I say the definitive American celestial  globe.
     This globe stands an impressive 22 inches tall, and is a full mount on a substantial baluster turned base.  Metal fittings are all brass the plaster orb is covered with a blue, gold and black celestial gore showing star placement, and Greek constellations.  The Andrews cartouche is clearly an overlabel I suspect that the gore printing was handled in The U.K.  The horizon ring is an unusual 12 sided design a distinct feature of Andrews products from the latter 1/3d of the 19th century.   Andrews Is also distinctive for their wonderfully intricate turned bases, and the thoughtful use of substantial brass fittings.  The meridian ring is also of brass with degree graduations.  Jules Verne?  Steampunk?  Yeah maybe a little, but isn't that great!  A Chicago globe in it's highest form, beautiful.......

Unique 12 sided horizon ring

Close up cartouche

     Let's talk condition,  this Andrews celestial globe is in wonderful overall condition, the map is wonderfully intact, the wooden and brass fittings are all present and accounted for, even the 2 brass set screws that hold the horizon ring in place are present, these are often missing.  The brass is old and original, not brightly polished, nothing overly renewed just left alone.  The horizon ring is intact, and does show age and some foxing as is often the case when paper is mounted directly to wood; pictures seem to accentuate it. In person it is very unobtrusive nothing I would work to remove.  The 12 sided horizon ring even retains most of the red accent paint it originally had, but the guilt edging is mostly gone. There is evidence of some  repairs to the globe surface, and the shellac has certainly been redone, a professional job, and not at all unexpected in a globe of this vintage.  As a package, a wonderful example.
     The moment I found this globe for sale, I went to work researching others like it.  I reviewed past sales, and auction histories in online databases, as well as sales archives at the larger U.S. Auction houses, of course dealer archives were searched as well.  Why is any of this important?  Well as exhaustive as I was I could find few Andrews globe sales at all, and only one other celestial globe sold in the past decade.  That globe, sold in 2010 was in poor condition, but it's cartouche matched exactly. The mount was different, but consistent with Andrews offerings of the time period.  I found no further records of this model in terrestrial or celestial format, in my extensive search. Note this other example and matching cartouche in the two pictures immediately below. I have seen several 8 inch wooden base Andrews globes for sale over the years, but I have yet to see a 12 inch Andrews wooden base globe available until this one.

matching cartouche ( auction 2010)

Andrews celestial sold 2010

       The Andrews sales catalog from 1881 lists this model, with picture for the price of $25  please see the globe at the bottom left of the scan below.
      So what does any of this mean?  Well simply this is an uncommon globe, both terrestrial, and celestial examples are few and far between;  concerning celestial spheres from American globe manufactures, Murray Hudson writes that celestial globes are much less common, he puts the ratio of terrestrial to celestial spheres at over 100 to one!
     American globe manufactures, especially the fledgling Chicago globe makers, were concerned with volume sales, mass marketing was their goal. Factory production is only cost effective if you can move a lot of units. this meant 2 things. First a focus on school ( read high volume). Second it meant that the traditional European standard of a "set" of two globes went out the window.  So these manufactures never really sold globes as a set, they sold individual globes, celestial always offered as an option, but by volume a small part of the business.
     Warning.  Opinion ahead.......  Many U. S. Globe manufactures had their own terrestrial maps engraved, but for the comparatively low volume celestial business I'm betting they contracted out with an established manufacturer probably in the U. K.   I imagine at any given time at Andrews, as terrestrial globes dominated, they kept a few celestial spheres on hand for the odd order that came through.
     Something else to realize is that as we look at Andrews as a globe manufacturer, this was only a small part of their business, their main focus and the bulk of their sales came from school furnishings.
Globes for Andrews were like Apple TV, a relatively small niche product, still a great quality product but the phone ( or in this case school desks ). Paid the bills.
     So how old is this treasure of American ingenuity?  Answering that question took some long hours researching. What we know with strong certainty is that A.H. Andrews as a globe maker existed roughly from 1867 until 1896. Remember that previous to 1867 This company was Hollbrook, and after 1896 Andrews sold their globe division to C. F. Weber.    The Andrews catalog of 1881 states that celestial globes are newly available.  The cartouche of this globe is an over label probably of a Johnson celestial gore ( just a guess) , but it does not suggest C. F. Weber successors to Andrews as would have been the case post 1896.  So this globe was made some time between 1881 and 1896  narrowing the manufacture date further would take more research. Suffice it to say it was made during Andrews heyday period when they dominated Chicago globe making.

The globe on the left $25 in 1881

 Celestial advertised ( New )  1881

     I really enjoy sharing this globe with you, I just love hunting for these old relics of Americana.  Now all I have to do is track down the terrestrial...........

An unbeleiveable globe at the Buffalo Museum of Science

     My local science museum, The Buffalo Museum of Science, is one of those places that both a child and a parent can get lost in for hours, fun for all ages.
     My son and I were mesmerized by an exhibit involving a globe,  not an antique globe but a wonderfully interactive globe. This globe was huge about 3 feet in diameter and it was essentially a projector using a computer touch screen the user can change the map on the globe into hundreds of different variations.  What do I mean?  Well this globe can show population density, shipping routes, forested areas, even face book friendships!  Most intriguing to me was the projections of antique maps onto the globe, see my pictures below.
     We concentrate on antique globes , and sometimes it's easy to forget that a globe is still very useful as a tool. This giant globe really takes the usefulness of the globe in another direction.  I'll tell you this if you've got young kids there is nothing more interactive than a nice globe to explore the world in a hands on way.

     Not forgetting the old globes, like a bloodhound I sniffed out an interesting old globe on display also. This one I was not familiar with, the pictures below show a Uniclock Globe.   This interesting clock/ globe was manufactured by the  Universal clock and globe company of Wilmington Delaware

I can't seem to find too much about them but interesting nonetheless!