This mid-sized globe from Cram's tells the story of the world on the verge of another major war. The political borders have changed dramatically as Germany annexes its neighbors and prepares to invade Poland. The globe also identifies one of the most important tools of the WW2 era: call letters of Short Wave Radio Stations worldwide. The practice of long distance radio listening began in the 1920s when shortwave broadcasters were first established in the US and Europe. Audiences discovered that international programming was available on the shortwave bands of many consumer radio receivers, and a number of magazines and listener clubs catering to the practice arose as a result. Shortwave listening was especially popular during times of international conflict such as World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War. In Europe, shortwave broadcasts from Britain and the Netherlands began in 1927, and U.S. shortwave listeners could hear the well-organized international broadcasting efforts from Germany, Italy, the Soviet Union, Britain, and many other countries. Various well-known shortwave broadcasters became established. The BBC began as the "BBC Empire Service" in 1932 as a shortwave service.] Its broadcasts were aimed principally at English speakers. Radio Moscow was broadcasting on shortwave in English, French, German, Italian and Arabic by 1939. The Voice of America (or VOA) began broadcasting in 1942 as a result of the United States entry into World War II and was introduced with the Yankee Doodle theme that is still familiar to shortwave listeners. In some other countries, during the war, listening to foreign stations was a criminal offense. Established in 1939, 35-kilowatt Chinese shortwave station XGOY broadcast programming aimed at Japan, where such listening restrictions were in place. The station suffered persistent bombing that destroyed its antennas and studios. During the war, short messages from prisoners of war were often read by studio announcers at stations in Germany, Japan, and other Axis powers countries. Shortwave listeners copied the prisoner names and addresses and notified families by mail or telephone. Although the Allied government provided similar services, the families usually heard from shortwave listeners first, sometimes as many as 100 at a time. Listeners in other countries monitored POW messages as well, and the practice was resumed by New Zealanders during the Korean War when the voices of POWs themselves were often broadcast over Radio Peking. Given the importance of Short Wave Radio Stations during War, this globe has preserved a piece of history. About the maker: What was to become the George F. Cram Company was founded in 1867 by Rufus Blanchard and George Franklin Cram (uncle and nephew) in Evanston, Illinois. The firm was known as Blanchard and Cram and was engaged in producing atlases and maps. By 1869 the business had become George F. Cram, with Cram taking full control and moved to Chicago that same year. The great Chicago fire destroyed the business, which was reestablished under the name Cram Map Depot. In 1921 Cram sold the company to E. A. Peterson. Peterson merged the Cram Company with his National Map Company, and in 1928 it became The George F. Cram Company. The year 1928 also saw the death of founder George F. Cram at the age of 86. The company began making globes in 1932-34, and in 1936 it relocated to Indianapolis. In 1966 Loren B. Douthit, an employee since 1937, became President of the company until his retirement in 1978. William and John Douthit, Loren's sons, assumed management of the company the same year. When Loren B. Douthit died in 1996, William L. Douthit was named Chairman of the Board. Herff Jones, which owns the Nystrom line of globes, purchased Cram in 2005. Douthit family members are still involved in creating globes at the Herff Jones facility in Indianapolis. To differ itself from the other great Chicago Globe makers in the early 2oth century and to be competitive, Cram became very creative early on. The company experimented with mountings and colors. As a result, the company produced some of the most unique globes. Description: The orb itself is of paste board, covered with a map identifying shipping routes incl. distance in nautical miles and railways world wide. The globe is mounted onto a heavy metal base with a golden finish. Diameter of the globe is 10.5 inches with a total height of about 14 inches. Condition: The Globe is in very good condition for its age. It shows no soiling or wrinkles and minimal scuffing with no loss of mapping. Details of the legend are crisp, colors are vivid. The base is solid, no cracks or splits. It has been professionally cleaned and waxed. Please see pictures for details. The age of the Globe has been determined by the political borders displayed, which are as follows: Europe: Europe is shown on the brink of WWII. Austria has been annexed by Germany (1938) and is no longer shown as an independent country. Germany has also seized modern day Czech Republic (1939) but not yet invaded Poland. The Islands of Cyprus and Malta are shown to be under British control. Middle East-Asia: Persia has changed to Iran (1935). Palestine is shown instead of Israel (1948). Jordan is called Trans-Jordan. Today’s Malaysia is shown as the Malay States. Manchuria in China is re-named Manchukuo and occupied by Japan. (1932-45). Africa: Colonies are displayed as follows: French West as well as Equatorial Africa, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Italian, British, and French Somaliland. Tanganyika Territory and the Belgian Congo are shown; Rhodesia is divided into North and South. Italian East Africa, which existed from 1936-41 is visible. Well packed, this artifact will ship for $18.00 Domestic, $45 International. $195 — Item #: 0218CRSWR39