This fine Library Globe is more than just an elegant heirloom for Generations to come. It is an original design by no other than Jens Risom. Jens Risom was trained as a designer at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design (Kunsthåndværkerskolen), where he studied under Ole Wanscher and Kaare Klint. He was classmates with Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen.[1] Risom then spent two years at Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College, before beginning work as a furniture developer and interior designer with the architectural firm of Ernst Kuhn. He later relocated to Stockholm, taking a job with a small architectural firm. From there he joined the design department of Nordiska Kompaniet and gained such a reputation that he was introduced to Alvar Aalto and Bruno Mathsson. In 1939, Risom traveled to New York City to study American design. He found it difficult to find work as a furniture designer in New York, however, and was forced to accept a number of textile designs that ultimately secured him freelance work with designer Dan Cooper. This led to his work being included in the Collier's "House of Ideas" designed by Edward Durell Stone and constructed in front of Rockefeller Center during the 1939 New York World's FairIn 1941, Risom teamed with entrepreneur Hans Knoll and in 1942, they launched the Hans Knoll Furniture Company with 15 of the 20 pieces in the inaugural "600" line designed by Risom. These works included stools, armchairs and lounges, made from cedar and surplus webbing—works which have since become design classics. With the advent of World War II, Risom was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 and served under General George S. Patton. After completing his military service, Risom briefly returned to Knoll in New York, but soon decided to launch his own firm, Jens Risom Design (JRD), which he launched on 1 May 1946. Risom's reputation as a furniture designer continued to grow, and Risom began to promote Scandinavian design in home furniture to the broader American public. In the 1950s, JRD ran a series of ads featuring photography by Richard Avedon and the slogan "The Answer is Risom." The result of this success was that in 1954, JRD launched a major expansion of its production facilities. In the late 1950s, JRD shifted its focus away from home furnishings and towards office furniture, hospital furniture, and library furniture.[1] In 1961, Risom was one of six furniture designers featured in a profile in Playboy magazine. One of Risom's executive office chairs became famous when Lyndon B. Johnson chose to use it in the Oval Office. This was the same period the design for this terrestrial Globe by Replogle emerged. Many of Risom's furniture designs are considered modern classics, and his furniture is on display at the Museum of Modern Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Brooklyn Museum, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and the Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum. In 1996, Risom was presented with the Danish Knight's Cross by Margrethe II of Denmark. In 1997, Knoll reissued Risom's furniture designs from the 1940s and 1950s. Two London galleries—Rocket Gallery and Liberty Gallery—launched successfully retrospectives of Risom's work in 2008. Ref. Wikipidia, Modern Museum of Art Yale University Refined craftsmanship is well documented as 12 individual paper gores are applied over a clear plastic orb, representing the map. The map displays high noon of the Cold War Era as there is a divided Vietnam, a divided Germany and an ever changing evolution of countries on the continent of Africa clearly visible. No doubt, this is an exceptional heirloom for generations to come, may it be for its exquisite design or the moment of history it has captured. Description: The 16 inch diameter orb is mounted into a full, stamped metal meridian which rests in a wooden cradle. Twelve hand applied paper gores are mounted onto the orb, representing the world of c 1975. All parts of the base are made of wood, with a rich, warm finish. The coasters are of metal and plastic, allowing for the object de art to be moved freely. The lighting can be controlled with an on off switch and has two levels of lighting. Total height of this artifact is about 42 inches. Condition: Well preserved, only typical for a nearly 40 year old artifact. Minor scuffing to frame and map, minimal soiling. The lighting is functional. The age is based on political borders displayed, which are as follows: In Europe one can view a divided Germany and the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and other Cold War countries that no longer exist are well documented. Ceylon is also shown in its new name Sri Lanka (change 1972), Mozambique is visible (1975) but Vietnam has not yet been unified (1976). Truly an exceptional piece of history. Carefully packed, this globe will be shipped securely in two containers for $80 domestic. For international deliver please inquire. $865 — Item #: 0214JENS16IL75 - SOLD