Description

AMERICAN TABLE GLOBE, c. late 19th century, signed in the cartouche in the printed gores “The Franklin Terrestrial Globe, 12 inches in diameter containing all the Geographical Divisions & Political Boundaries to the present date. Carefully compiled from the best Authorities…Troy, N.Y.” Overlaid is the retailer’s paper “H.B. Nims & Co.” The printed globe gores are dense with detail, including many voyages of discovery which are traced, identified, and dated. The first transatlantic submarine cable (1858) is shown, plus the French cable from Brest to Cape Cod (1879), and the two Dakotahs (1889) are present. Overall the globe is tan with light green highlighting. Condition is good noting general patterned crazing from an old varnish, and minor restoration. It is supported, inclined at the earth’s 23.°5 tilt to its orbit, on a brass pillar and domed iron base, the latter cast with very decorative Greek key and floral bands. The Troy, N.Y. publishers who produced and retailed the Franklin globes went through a variety of business names throughout the second half 19th century, starting c. 1851 (see Warner, Rittenhouse 2, 63-4). It was “H.B. Nims & Co.” from 1869 to 1885, and again 1890 to 1896, the period of our globe.