Empires of the past, including the British, the Russian, the Austria-Hungarian and the Ottoman are shown to have conquered the world. Infamous 19 and early 20 century Metropolitan centers including the mysterious Constantinople, Christiana and the Russian Czar’s St Petersburg are visible while the imperial colonization of Africa is clearly marked by German French, British and Portuguese dominance. Congo State has yet to be a “Belgian Colony” (1908) and the Ottoman Empire is well visible throughout the Middle East and along the Red Sea in Africa. This exquisitely well preserved globe is quite an attractive piece and will demand attention in any setting. Description: The orb itself is covered with 12 individual, hand applied 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 6 inches in diameter with a total height of about 11 inches. Condition: This artifact is well preserved. Detail of the map are crisp, colors rich and warm. Some minor scuffing on the southern hemisphere and minimal soiling throughout. Slight loss of map on the cartouche (see photo). The base is in superb condition, no cracks, splits or corrosion. 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. Today Rand McNally is best known for their travel maps and GPS products in an effort to stay competitive. This elegant artifact may be petite in size, it is grand in history. $795 - item# 814