Bronze Maps

Miniature Terrestrial Globe Newton Son London, post 1833, ante 1858 Paper, papier-mâché, bronze and wood It measures: sphere diameter 2.95 in (7.6 cm); diameter of the wooden base 6.02 in (15.3 cm); height 8.36 in (21.24 cm). Weight: 2,067 lb. State of conservation: the globe still bears its original paint, but has various small gaps, abrasions and stains on the surface. The globe is hinged with two pins at the meridian circle, which is in turn inserted perpendicular to the horizon circle; this is supported by four semi-arches connected at the bottom by a small goblet-shaped foot, resting on a wooden bell-shaped base. Apart from the wooden base, the entire support structure is made of bronze; on the foot there are the scale reproductions of a compass, a telescope and an open book. The sphere is made of papier-mâché and is covered with twelve printed paper gores. In the North Pacific Ocean the globe bears a cartouche with the inscription (about 30% of the writing is illegible, but the missing parts can be easily integrated based on the rest): NEWTON’S New Improved TERRESTRIAL Globe Published by Newton Son 66 Chancery Lane LONDON On the globe, much of central Africa is empty and the great lakes Tanganyika and Victoria are not marked (Europeans would begin to explore the area after 1858). Canada is called "British Territory" and Alaska "Russian Territory" (it would become part of the United States in 1867). Australia already bears its modern name (until 1829 it had been called New Holland) and its coasts are completely designed; Tasmania is listed as an island (Matthew Flinders circumnavigated it in 1798). The routes of Cook's various voyages are plotted; both the route followed by Biscoe in 1831 and the "Land of Enderby" which he discovered on the coast of Antarctica, south of Africa, are marked. Bibliography P. Van der Krogt, Old Globes...

Manufactured for H.B. Nims & Co., Troy New York, last quarter 19th c. After the original engravings by Charles Copley done in 1852. Printed paper on wood with brass/ bronze meridian ring and a flat circular printed center horizon ring on wood labeled with the months of the year with notes. Mounted on a fine leafy iron baluster...