Globes

Monumental 18 inch terrestrial Globe, 1861 – Johnston, Edinburgh, Scotland

A very fine and impressive terrestrial floor globe, more then hundred fifty years old, with the known world in the middle of the 19th century. The globe is mounted in a calibrated brass meridian with hour ring on the north pole and wooden horizon ring with the houses of the zodiac, the months of the year, azimuth amplitude and so on. The horizon ring raised on four quadrant arcs on a turned baluster column supported on tripod legs on wheels. Unfortunately the compass is missing.

On the globe there are to find the voyages of Cook, Vancouver, de la Perouse, Gore and other explorers in the 18th century. It is a great pleasure to study the world of that time on this large globe.

Inscribed in the circular cartouche the maker’s label with a weapon and a crown with the text, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE. On both sides of the weapon a lion and a unicorn. Under the weapon the text, DIEU ET MON DROIT. In the cartouche the text:

J O H N S T O N’S
EIGTHEEN INCH
TERRESTRIAL GLOBE
containing the latest
Geographical Discoveries
1861
W. & A.K. JOHNSTON
Geographers & Engravers to the Queen
4 St Andrew Square, Edinburg
1861

William and Alexander Keith Johnston, geographers and cartographers, had their business in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Catalog: GL.1-09
Date: 1861
HD: 106×61 cm (42×24 in)
D globe: 46 cm (18 in)
Signed in the cartouche:
W. & A.K. Johnston, Engravers & Printers tot he Queen, 4 St Andrew Square, Edinburg, 1861
Origin: Scotland
Condition: very good for its age, some general signs of wear, minor repairs, restauration south of Mexico