This is a globe covered with plain brown paper, on a metal stand. The copper-coloured metal stand has three feet, each of the them moulded like a lion’s foot. These join together into an ornamental triangular section which rises vertically and connects to an arm that branches outward before turning upwards to support the globe at a slight inclination. The globe is supported and rotates on a metal rod that runs through the central axis of the globe and ends just above the top pole with a small wooden rounded knob.
The globe is covered with brown paper gores which reach from pole to pole. This is marked with a faint grid of latitude and longitude lines. Three of these lines are marked darker grey ink than the others: The equator is labelled by hand in red ink in roman numerals from I to XXIV around the circumference, and a meridian line in arabic numbers from ‘0’ at the equator and to ’90’ at the poles. There is also a line passing at an inclined arc through the equator at the ‘XXIV’ marking, likely marking the celestial ecliptic.
Accession Number: 2019.ast.267
Alternative Name:
Metal: Copper Alloy, Plaster, Paper, Wood, Metal: Iron Alloy
Written in white paint on the metal base: “G21”
Dimensions (cm):
This globe may have been modified following its original purchase for mathematical demonstrations on a sphere, possibly in an astronomical context.
Good: The metal base of the globe is discoloured and oxidized in places, particularly in recessed or less accessible areas.
The paper covering and red-ink markings of the globe appears to be a modification. Likely the original globe depicted the Earth. The paper is yellowed, and marked with patches of water damage and some faint grey markings. In a few places, the edges of the paper sections is slightly raised and peeling. There is a small ‘v’-shaped indentation on one side. The top of the globe is greyed and smudged compared to the lower portion of the globe.
Associated Instruments:
Weber Costello Co., Chicago; Local modifications
Date of Manufacture: Early 20th Century
Following its purchase, this globe was likely modified at by the Department of Physics or the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto for teaching. In the 2000s, it was found in a room in the McLennan Physical Laboratories building on the U of T St George campus, and moved to the Astronomy Library for storage and display.
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