Terrestrial Globe
Made by Smith & Son, London. Globe cartouche notes: A New Terrestrial Globe from the best authorities by J Smith & sold by C Smith 172 Strand. The company, Smith & Son, operated at 172 Strand from 1827 to 1852. Charles Smith (1758-1864) began his enterprise in 1799, later listed as the mapmaker to the Prince of Wales (1809), the firm lasted into the 20th century. Exactly who J Smith was, I haven’t figured out, but all the experts agree that the company started making tabletop globes in 1845 when son William joined his father. The globe has never been restored and retains a wonderful patina; a dent off the Carolina coast and a stain in the *Southern Pacific Ocean testifies to much use. (* I had never heard of the Georgian Isles. A remote territory of Great Britian inhabited by penguins!) Crafted in London, circa 1850s, on a turned mahogany base with brass half meridian. The base is just a bit bigger than 3 ¼ inches, it stands 6 ½ inches tall.