With its clean lines and minimalistic features, this original Cold War Artifact is a fine representation of the German Bauhaus Style. Bauhaus Style, also known as Modernist and Machine Age, emerged in the early 1900’s in Berlin (Weimar Bauhaus School of Design) and lasted several decades. As matter of fact, the style has once again regained popularity. Politically of up most interest, the globe by German globe maker Raeths reflects the intense cold war era. Raeths Globes were highly regarded for their prolific attention to detail and this petite masterpiece is no different. Even though the orb has a diameter of only 5 inches, rivers, political borders, mountain ranges and more is clearly marked. Crisp details of the past are well documented, including colonies and nations long gone. The orb consists of twelve individual hand mounted paper gores and two polar calottes. Mounted onto a solid wood base, this antiquity offers a handsome display of understated elegance. Only 7.5 inches tall, the artifact lends itself to be a perfect desk display and guaranteed conversation starter About the manufacture: Paul Raeth (1881-1929) began to manufacture Globes in 1917 and quickly became one of the most recognized German Globe makers of the early 20th century. One of his largest “Relief globe” at 64 cm diameter can be found in the German Science Museum of Munich. The company prospered even after Raeth’s death in 1929. Because the manufacture did not leave Leipzig after WW2, it fell to be under Russian control as the city of Leipzig became part of former East Germany. The cartouche of the Political Globe reads as follows: RAETHS POLITISCHER ERDGLOBUS BEARBEITED VON PROF. DR. ARTHUR KRAUSE VERLAG PAUL RAETH NACHL. KG LEIPZIG DRUCK VEB HERMANN HAACK GOTHA-LEIPZIG Description: The orb is covered by 12 hand-mounted individual gores and two polar calottes.. Coloring is in rich gold’s and greens with a nicely aged patina. The map identifies Political borders INCLUDING capitols of nations. The orb is mounted onto an aluminum bracket, which is attached to a masculine looking, Bauhaus styled fruitwood base. Diameter of the globe is about 5 inches with a total height of 7.5 inches. Condition: The Globes is in very good condition. It offers a nicely, slightly un-even aged patina. Minor scuffing and only minimal soiling. Colors are vivid and details are crisp. The base is also in very good condition, no cracks or splits, some typical wear to the edges. The meridian is in fine condition, no cracks. Please see pictures for details. The age of the globe is based on politicasl borders displayed as well as political statements on the artifact itself: Europe: Germany has been divided into East and West Germany. Former countries of the Cold War like Yugoslavia are visible. Africa: Rhodesia is still under British control (independence 1965), while French West Africa and the Belgian Congo have ceased to exist (1960). Well packed, this globe artifact will ship domestic for $7.00. International shipping is $29 $150 — Item : 0214RAETH62