Circa 1889 French Terrestrial Globe by J. Lebegue & Cie
Circa 1889 French Terrestrial Globe by J. Lebegue & Cie
This rare artifact documents empires long before the dismay of their existence. Imperial kingdoms including the British, the Austria-Hungarian and the Ottoman Empire are shown to have conquered the world. Metropolitan centers of the past such as Constantinople, Christiana and St. Petersburg are visible The US is visible as a young nation, with Indian Territories identified by tribe. Future States like Alaska are shown as territories instead as other states are still to be created. The Dakotas have just recently been divided (1889). Congo Free State in Africa is displayed (est.1884, changed to Belgian Congo in 1908).
Note the detailed, beautifully colored map and ornate mounting, a testament of superb craftsmanship! This fine artifact celebrates French styled elegance to the utmost detail. The base contains refined figural male faces with elegant mustaches.
The letters LB for Lebegue are also incorporated into the ornate cast iron base. Lebegue was one of the leading globe-publishers of the late 1800s. The company produced a wide range of models and published in several languages. Their line also included astronomical curiosities, such as ornate clock globes. Among the terrestrial globes published by Lebegue were those conceived by Dubail and by Bardot. A branch company functioned in Brussels, Belgium. The relationship between both parties is not known. However, there is speculation Alfonso Nicolas Lebegue went into exile from Paris to Brussels in the 1840s to escape prosecution by the French Government. As a supporter of the social revolution, he published the work of Dumas, Wauters, Hubert and other revolutionary thinkers and his own literature. Eventually Lebegue and his engraver J.C. Bernhart returned to Paris, continuing publishing books and globes. Upon Alfonso’s death his son Jules continued his work until c 1910. We are still completing our research on this subject, please stay tuned as we are in the process to connect the dots between Brussels and Paris. Any additional information is welcomed.
The globe consists of 12 individual hand laid paper gores and two polar calottes over a plaster sphere. The legend identifies mountain ranges, sea currents, etc. The mounting is made of cast iron. Details are superb and ornate, including lion’s paw, human faces and the LB medallion on the center of the base. Diameter of the globe is about 8 inches with a total height of about 14.5 inches.
Overall, a well preserved artifact. However, there is some damaged where the axis rod enters at the south pole. The original top finial is also missing. Some abrasions as shown in photos, minor scuffing and soiling throughout. If you are looking for the rarely obtainable, this fine artifact filled with exceptional history is for you.
Item #: 0319LEB1889
More Information
This rare artifact documents empires long before the dismay of their existence. Imperial kingdoms including the British, the Austria-Hungarian and the Ottoman Empire are shown to have conquered the world. Metropolitan centers of the past such as Constantinople, Christiana and St. Petersburg are all visible.
The US is shown as a relatively young nation, with Indian lands labeled by tribes; from Cherokee to Apache and more. Future States like Alaska are shown as territories instead as other states are still to be created. The Dakotas have just recently been divided (1898) but eastern Oklahoma has not yet turned into Indian Territory (1890).
Note the detailed, beautifully colored map and ornate mounting, a testament of superb craftsmanship! This fine artifact celebrates French styled elegance to the utmost detail. The base contains refined figural male faces with elegant mustaches. The letters LB for Lebegue are also incorporated into the ornate cast iron base.
Lebegue was one of the leading globe-publishers of the late 1800s. The company produced a wide range of models and published in several languages. Their line also included astronomical curiosities, such as ornate clock globes.
Among the terrestrial globes published by Lebegue were those conceived by Dubail and by Bardot.
A branch company functioned in Brussels, Belgium. The relationship between both parties is not known. However, there is speculation Alfonso Nicolas Lebegue went into exile from Paris to Brussels in the 1840s to escape prosecution by the French Government. As a supporter of the social revolution, he published the work of Dumas, Wauters, Hubert and other revolutionary thinkers and his own literature.
Eventually Lebegue and his engraver J.C. Bernhart returned to Paris, continuing publishing books and globes. Upon Alfonso’s death his son Jules continued his work until c 1910.
We are still completing our research on this subject, please stay tuned as we are in the process to connect the dots between Brussels and Paris. Any additional information is welcomed.
The globe consists of 12 individual hand laid paper gores and two polar calottes over a plaster sphere. The legend identifies mountain ranges, sea currents, Native American, Eskimo and African tribes throughout..
The mounting is made of cast iron. Details are superb and ornate, including lion’s paw, human faces and the LB medallion on the center of the base. Diameter of the globe is about 8 inches with a total height of about 14 inches. Overall, the globe is in very good condition for its age; the main exception is found at the southern pole where the plaster has cracked around the axis. The finial is also missing. Some abrasions as shown in photos, minor scuffing and soiling throughout.
If you are looking for the rarely obtainable, this fine artifact filled with exceptional history is for you.
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$785 — Item: 0319LEB1889