Catalog Archive
Auction 102, Lot 70

"12- inch Celestial Globe", Adams, Dudley

Subject: Globe

Period: 1795 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
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Twelve-inch table globe with 24 copper engraved and hand colored gores depicting the constellations based on Flamsteed's British Catalogue. Full bronze meridian. The horizon band covered with engraved paper calendar and zodiac. Raised on a mahogany stand with four support arms and three turned legs joined by stretcher. Overall approximately 23" tall. The Adams family created globes and scientific instruments until 1817. The patriarch, George Adams Senior (1704-72), wrote numerous books on globes and scientific instruments, including A Treatise Describing and Explaining the Construction and Use of New Celestial and Terrestrial Globes that went through numerous editions into the 19th century. Dudley Adams continued the business until 1817. Cartouche reads: "To His Most Sacred MAJESTY GEORGE THE THIRD, This New Celestial Globe containing all ye Southern Constellations lately observed at the Cape of Good Hope, & all the Stars in Flamsteed's British Catalogue, Is most humbly Inscribed by His MAJESTY'S most dutiful & Obliged Subject & Servant Dudley Adams. Made by D. Adams Globe Maker to the King & Optician to H.R.H. the Duke of York Charing Cross, London, 1795." Generally very good condition for a globe of this period. With the usual light scattered surface wear and abrasions. Mutely colored constellations with overall pleasant toning. One of the support arms is cracked through repaired with old brass strip on the inside. RESERVE $2,400.

References:

Condition: B

Two areas of damage with professional restoration. First has a 3" narrow crack long join line with a small raised area and loss to one constellation. The second is another 1" raised area with attendant cracking.

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000

Sold for: $3,500

Closed on 3/5/2003

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