Globes
Conrad Biernacki
What better symbol of our changing planet than a vintage
globe - witness the USSR before its breakup, Ceylon before its independence
created Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong when it was still British Pink. A testament to
our ongoing fascination with our evolving world, vintage globes offer a
compelling lesson in history, geography and politics - adventure, exploration
and intrigue all rolled into one. Need another Reason to go for a spin?
Historical Notes
Although maps have existed since ancient times, it wasn't until
1519, when Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan set sail, that the idea of
the globe - a spherical representation of the Earth - was conceived. By 1713,
Russian Czar Peter the Great boasted one of the most spectacular models ever
made. Eleven feet in diameter, his globe featured a terrestrial map on its
exterior and the night sky within. By entering through a side door, the czar and
his guests could observe the stars moving across the heavens thanks to an
elaborate clockwork mechanism. By the 19th century, armchair travellers traced
the routes of explorers on their own parlor globes. During the first half of the
20th century, globes broke new frontiers - in classrooms, they were used to
teach children about distant lands and to follow the political events of the
day.
What To Look For
Made from metal, glass or plastic (occasionally with a light
bulb inside), some globes even feature dramatic black oceans instead of the
traditional blue. Sizes can range from a four-inch money bank to a jumbo 30-inch
inflatable hanging model. Be sure to avoid globes with large scratches, dents or
cracks and always make sure that they spin properly. The best places to look?
Garage sales, flea markets, nostalgia shows and '50s stores.
Price Tag
Globes from the '20s to '60s are the easiest to find; prices
begin at approximately $25 for the more common metal globes - with maps right on
the metal or printed on paper and glued on - and can soar as high as $600 for
exquisite light-up models with an airplane stand or one featuring a figure of
Atlas. Prices soar for rare antique globes from the 18th and 19th centuries,
which are sold through specialized dealers and major auction houses.
For More Information
- Cartomania (Association of Map Memorabilia Collectors newsletter),
8 Amherst Rd, Amherst, MA 01002-9746, (413) 253-3155 (include a
self-addressed stamped envelope)
- Mapline (The Chicago Map Society Newsletter), 60 West Walton St.,
Chicago IL 60610, (312) 255-3523
Where to Find It
- Afterglow, Toronto, Canada (416) 504-9923
- Red Indian Art Deco, Toronto, Canada (416) 504-7706
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