GEORGE III MINIATURE TERRESTRIAL THREE-INCH TABLE GLOBE, BY JOHN & WILLIAM CARY, LONDON
LATE 18TH CENTURY
£8,190
Auction: Day 1 - Wed 14th May from 10am | Lots 1 to 313
Description
comprising twelve hand-coloured gores, annotated with equinoctial graduated in degrees and hours and ecliptic graduated in days, prime meridian labelled Meridian of Greenwich and the principal land masses outlined in colour and annotated with major rivers and mountain ranges, the oceans with islands labelled and printed with dotted lines for Captain Cook 1773 and other circumnavigations complete with dates and vessels named, the Indian ocean left of New Holland region incorporating circular printed title cartouche ‘CARY'S, Pocket, GLOBE, agreeable, to the latest, DISCOVERIES, LONDON, Pub'd by J. & W. Cary. Strand. Apr. 1. 1791’, pivoted via the poles within a brass meridian ring divided for degrees, and set within engraved paper horizon ring with compass points and degrees in both directions, Zodiac and calendar scales, the stand with four walnut turned baluster supports united by cross-stretchers and ending on tapered feet
Dimensions
13cm high, 11cm in diameter
Footnote
The celebrated Cary family business of scientific instrument and globe makers was established by John Cary (1755-1835) at Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, London in 1782 moving to a new address at 'Corner of Arundel Square', Strand the following year. He was primarily an engraver of maps, charts and globes who moved again in 1783 to 188 Strand. By 1791 he had entered into what appeared to be a relatively casual partnership with his brother William Cary (1759-1825). This partnership lasted until circa 1816 by which time William and John Cary had moved again to 181 Strand before finally settling in 86 St. James in 1820. The following year he was succeeded by his sons, John (II) and George Cary, who continued from the firms 181 Strand address until 1851/2 when the business was acquired by Henry Gould. The terrestrial globe in the present lot is most often seen presented as a pocket globe within a ray-skin covered folding two-part case with celestial representations pasted to the inside surfaces.