Terrestrial clockwork globe

Terrestrial clockwork globe. Geographical details on sphere show shipping routes, with the indication of the names of the harbours and the distance between these in miles. Cables are marked by red lines. Currents such as the Gulf Stream and the California Current are depicted. Many islands are underlined in red and a total of six oceans are named.

The operation and construction of the clockwork mechanism is basically the same as Richard GLB0032. In the Whipple Museum, Cambridge, there is a globe of 150 mm diameter with a variant inscription on a pasted-on oval cartouche and the base is stamped. In the Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence, there is another copy of 200 mm diameter with an inscription on the base of the stand. For full details about the cartography and construction of this clockwork globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0062
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Clockwork globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Richard; S. Smith & Son
Date made: circa 1910
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 410 mm x 270 mm x 240 mm; Diameter of sphere: 200 mm