A huge pair of 21 inches Cruchley Library Globes

About the Item

G.F. Cruchley (UK, 1796-1880) London ca 1850 A magnificent pair of terrestrial and celestial globes. Equatorial table engraved with the signs of the zodiac and resting on 3 mahogany molded feet held by a compass at the spacer. With graduated brass meridian circles and time clocks. The terrestrial globe is inscribed in a cartouche: Cruchley's new terrestrial globe from the most recent and best authorities. Exhibiting the discoveries in equatorial Africa, north pole. And the new settlements and divisions in Australia, New Zealand, Californa, Texas, &c. London. Sold by Gould and Porter opticians 181 strand WC. The celestial globe is inscribed in a cartouche: Cruchleys new celestial globe on which is accurately laid down the whole of the stars and nebule contained in the astronomical catalogue of the Reverend Mr. Wollaston F.R.S. Also from the authorities Flamstead, De La Caille, Hevellus, Bradley, Herschel, Maskelyne, &c. Ands the limits of each constellation determined by a boundary line. London, published by G.F. Cruchley, map-seller & globe maker, 81 Fleet street. Signed: CRUCHLEY in London England, circa 1850 H. 125 cm Diam. 53 cm (21 inches) Diam. 25 cm compasses The two spheres are in a perfect state of freshness and are perfectly legible. The condition of both the globes is very good. There have been some professional repairs to some damaged gores. The Terrestrial globe in good conserved and legible condition, it has areas of rubbing, retouching, and slight discoloration. The Celestial globe is also in good conserved and legible condition with areas of rubbing, retouching and slight discoloration. The gores themselves have been cleaned and revarnished. The splendid mahogany legs and moulded feet are in first class condition. Each globe consists of 12 hand coloured copper engraved gores over a paper-maché hollow core, made up of two hemispheres joined at the equator and covered with a layer of plaster. There are paper horizon rings, made up of a series of concentric circles, displaying the months of the year, the signs of the zodiac and wind directions. THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE. The globe provides much detailed information, and was accurate up to the date of production, which in this case is the mid-19th century. It shows the latest discoveries and developments that had taken place. It displays names and territories that were once familiar to the people of the age, 150 years into the future! In Asia for example, there are places like ‘Little Bucharia’, ‘Little and Greater Tartary’, ‘Russia in Asia.’ Undoubtedly, the continent that has changed more than any other is Africa. So many African countries that we know and recognise now, had different, perhaps more ‘Colonial’ names more than a century and a half ago. There was ‘Nubia’ (Sudan/Egypt), ‘Abbyssinia’ (Ethiopia), ‘Cape Colony’ (South Africa), ‘Dahomey’ (Benin) but to name a few. Australia was a little over 50 years away from its union via ‘Federation’ in 1901. This brought about the Commonwealth of Australia. However, in 1850 they were six separate British selfserving colonies, ruled directly from England. In North America, both Los Angeles and San Francisco are incorporated as cities into California - as it becomes the 31st U.S. state. Much of mid-western and western USA were known as ‘The Western Territory’ & ‘The Missouri Territory’, Florida was still refered to as ‘East & West Florida’. Canada was split into ‘Canada East’ & ‘Canada West.’ Canada East was primarily (for historical reasons) French-speaking, and Canada West primarily Englishspeaking. Much of Western Canada remained unexplored and undeveloped. In Europe, there was still the ‘Russian Empire’, the ‘Ottoman Empire’, the ‘AustroHungarian Empire’, and the German ‘Prussian Empire.’ THE CELESTIAL GLOBE. The Celestial Globe displays the stars, the constellations, clusters and nebulae in a beautiful and well thought out manner. Mythical figures and signs of the zodiac are seen. The equinoctial and solistitial colures are graduated in degrees. Although the colour is somewhat muted, it takes nothing away from the overall beauty and the undoubted aesthetic qualities of the globe. Historically, globes are among the most ancient scientific instruments known to man. They can be dated back over two millennia, and are still manufactured to this day. The earliest tradition of globe making is mainly concerned with celestial globes – man has always been fascinated and drawn to the heavens above. Celestial globes have always enjoyed a precedent of terrestrial globes. In fact, doubts about the feasibility of a terrestrial globe were firmly expressed by the Greek geographer Strabo; who wrote that such a globe would only make sense if its diameter were approximately 10 foot, presumably because only then could it furnish sufficient geographical detail! The great second century Egyptian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, and geographer, Claudius Ptolemy also considered the large size of a globe to be somewhat of an obstacle, and noted a further shortcoming of a terrestrial globe – that one could not view the whole world on it a single glance. As a result, terrestrial globes were not as popular until much later. The real beauty of globes is that they can be considered to be “all things to all men”; to some they are useful and practical educational tools, (3D maps perhaps); to some others as beautiful and useful scientific instruments; and to more, they may be seen purely as decorative, beautiful pieces of furniture; to be envied and enjoyed, but more importantly, and above all, to be admired by all. Georges Frederick CRUCHLEY (active 1797-1880) George Frederick Cruchley was a London based book and map seller, active in the mid-19th century. He worked with the Cary firm, and in 1850 and he appended his name to the address 81 Fleet Street in London. This address is covered over the globe, as is often the case with the reseller's corporate name. Cruchley began his cartographic career as an apprentice in the venerable film Aaron Arrowsmith. Many of Cruchley's early maps have the words "From Arrowsmith" on the imprint. In 1844 Cruchley acquired the massive stock of the important early 19th century firm, John Cary. Cruchley published his own maps as well as reissues of Cary's stock until the 1870s. He is best known for his detailed plans of London, which in recent years have become increasingly rare and desirable. Cruchley was based in London at 38 Ludgate Street until 1834 when he moved his office to 81 Fleet Street. Shortly before his death in 1880, Cruchley auctioned off (Hodgson's Auctions, January 16, 1877) all of his stock. Many of his map plates were thus acquired by "Gall and Inglis" who continued the Cruchley tradition until the early 20th century. Cruchley's son, also George Frederick (1837-1882), continued to work as a book and map seller until his death.

Creator:
G.F. Cruchley (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 50 in (127 cm)Diameter: 21 in (53.34 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Boxwood,Other,Paper,Other
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
1850-1859
Date of Manufacture:
1850
Condition:
Contemporary and in excellent condition except for one scratch on the horizonring (see picture).
Seller Location:
ZWIJNDRECHT, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: Jacob B. de Roo, The Netherlands, Antiquarian since 20041stDibs: LU9419237364012