Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe

Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe. Geographical details on the terrestrial sphere include trade winds and monsoons indicated by arrows. California is drawn as a peninsula. Australia and New Zealand are drawn according to the discoveries of Cook, whose death is recorded: 'Owhyhee / Where Cap.t Cook was / Killed'. Cook's third voyage, with the incorrect dates of 1772 and 1774 in the South Pacific Ocean is labelled, 'Cap.t Cook left Plymouth / July 13 1776'. A total of four oceans are named.

Astronomical details on the inside of the case show a geocentric projection. The stars are marked by different symbols but there is no magnitude table. The Milky Way is labelled, and the 48 Ptolemaic constellations and four of the non-Ptolemaic constellations are drawn. There are three of the southern constellations, those of Plancius, except Volans and Chamaeleon, and all those of Hevelius. However, not all the southern constellations are labelled.

This pocket globe was advertised as a 'New Year's Gift for the instruction and amusement of Young Ladies and Gentlemen', for the price of half a guinea. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0009
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Pocket globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Miller, John
Date made: 1793
People: Cook, James
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Diameter: 90 mm; Diameter of sphere: 76 mm
Parts: Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe