Celestial & Terrestrial Globes by Newton and Son

Outstanding 21-Inch Celestial & Terrestrial Globes by Newton and Son
A rare and incredible pair of 21-inch English globes by renowned cartographers John Newton and Son, one of the most important globe makers in early 19th-century England, and one of the few to combine instruments with globes. Representing the terrestrial and celestial landscapes, these spheres rest in gorgeous mahogany stands, with both terrestrial and celestial in perfect color shading. Compasses set in the base of the stands complete the design. These globes are even more unusual for their size. It is interesting to note that the surface area of a 21-inch globe is an incredible 307% larger area than that of a more common 12-inch globe. To own these globes was to have a wealth of information at one's fingertips. Rendered in painstaking detail, each globe presents scientific understanding of the world and sky that would have been invaluable to all areas of business, including shipping, geography, and especially exploration.

Set into turned and carved tripartite stands, the globes feature engraved brass hour dials at each pole, graduated in hours in two directions, stamped brass meridian circles, and papered horizon rings with amplitude degrees. The terrestrial globe is finely marked with the latest discoveries of the period including indications for natural resources and other geographical elements. The celestial globe is graced with the constellations depicted as mythological figures, fantastic animals and scientific instruments. Since the days of antiquity, the constellations were shown on maps of the sky and celestial globes as people, animals and objects. This present example illustrates how their elaborate execution often dominated the cartography.

The terrestrial globe bears the inscription Newtons New and Improved Terrestrial Globe, Accurately Delineated from the observations of the most esteemed Navigators and Travellers, to the Present Time/ Manufactured by Newton & Son, 66 Chancery Lane & 3 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, London, Published 1st January 1857 in a plaque. The celestial globe is thusly marked: New and Improved Newtons Celestial Globe, On which all the Stars Nebulae and Clusters contained in the extensive Catalogue of the late F. Wollaston, F.R.S. are accurately laid down, their Right Ascensions & Declinations having been recalculated for the year 1830 by W. Newton/ Manufactured by Newton & Son, 66 Chancery Lane, London.

Terrestrial: circa 1857
Celestial: circa 1830

27 diameter x 46 total height

The firm of Newton & Son is considered among the leading manufacturers of fine 19th-century globes and they are well represented in museums around the world. During the first half of 19th century, the firm of Newton occupied a leading position in the manufacturing of globes in London. The Newton family of cartographers produced floor standing, table and pocket globes. The founder of the firm was John Newton, the product of generations of globe making apprenticeships. The firm was founded in 1780 and published its first globe in 1783, a pocket globe using copper plates struck by the legendary Nathaniel Hill in 1754. At the turn of the 19th century, Newton was joined by his second son, William, and the firm name was changed to J & W Newton. From 1831 to 1841, Miles Berry, a civil engineer, was a member of the firm, which was known as Newton, Son and Berry. After 1841, ownership passed to William Newton's eldest son, William Edward Newton (1818-1900). It remained in operation by subsequent generations until the early 20th century. Records indicate that for the most of the firm's existence they were located at Chancery Lane, London.

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