An elegant imperial Artifact c 1895 Empires such as the British, the Russian, the Austria-Hungarian and the Ottoman are shown to have conquered the world. Metropolitan centers of the past such as Constantinople, Christiana and the Zar’s St Petersburg are visible. Well documented is the Imperial colonization of Africa, showing Congo State, German, French and Britsh occupation of the continent. Note the ornate details of the metal base, a beautiful representation of the Jugenstil -Art Nouveau movement which originated in Vienna (Austria), the capitol of the Austro Hungarian Empire. The Americas are still young, documenting Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Even though the patina has aged, this globe is still quite an attractive piece and will demand attention in any setting. The orb itself is covered with 12 individual paper gores representing the map and attached to a cast iron base finished in bronze and copper with beautiful Nouveau - Jugendstil details. Diameter of the globe is 8 inches with a total height of about 14 inches. Not marked by the manufacture we do speculate for this piece to be a Rand McNally masterpiece. William Rand opens his first print shop in 1856, hires McNally, an Irish Immigrant, in 1858. In 1868, the two establish a partnership and the name Rand McNally & Co. As a print shop they produce the newspaper for the Chicago Tribune as well as timetables, travel guides and tickets for the fast growing railroad industry. In 1872, the company pioneered cerography, an innovative wax-engraving print technique, enabling to follow world changes in print quickly and more economic. As a result, event though not having made globes themselves until 1880, by the end of the late 1800’s Rand McNally produced globe gores not just for their own models, but for many of the other Chicago Globe makers. Rand McNally is best known for their travel maps but also still produces globes to this day, mainly for the educational market. This elegant artifact may be petite in size, it is grand in history. $895 - Item #: 01RMCNOUV95 - SOLD