Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe

Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe. Geographical details on the terrestrial sphere show loxodromes, which are rather sketchily drawn for a few compass points. America and Asia are separate continents and 'AMERICA' is over both North and South America. Three other continents are indicated. In Europe, three names are given. There are a few monsters and ships in the oceans and a drawing of a pair of dividers. One ocean is named.

Astronomical details on the celestial concave sphere show stars marked by holes, seen from within the globe in a geocentric projection. All 48 Ptolemaic constellations are presented but not every star in each constellation has been plotted. The majority of the Ptolemaic stars, about 700, are presented, however. The region around the South Pole is empty. Above Gemini, there is a group of holes in the shape of a tuning fork, in a region that is actually void of stars. This globe does not appear to be fully finished.

The cartography for both aspects of this globe appear to have been copied from the Mercator 1541 and 1551 globes, which were very popular in England at the time. This is the earliest known globe to have been made in England. Small silver and gilt globes of the 16th century were generally made as luxury items for the very rich. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0025
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Pocket globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Whitwell, Charles
Date made: 1590
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Diameter: 62 mm; Diameter of sphere: 62 mm
Parts: Terrestrial and celestial pocket globe