A display of understated elegance, this fine piece of French culture has a story to share. The ever so delicately engraved map documents History of Imperial powers, identifying names of the past one can only read of today. Empires are documented as they have expanded their riches by colonizing the remaining cultures of the world. Each colony is identified in the same colors as the Empire possessing it. The world is shown in a post World War 1 state-of –mind, where some Kingdoms have fallen and new Democracies raised of its ashes. Hungary and Poland are new nations as Yugoslavia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are celebrating their independence, not knowing it will be short lived. The mysterious Constantinople, the city where Eastern and Western Cultures met, is visible as is Petrograd, which existed under that name for only 10 years (1914-24). What is to become the USSR within a short time is still shown as the Russian Empire….Indeed, this globe is nothing less than a beautiful time capsule, a piece of history of an era long gone. Admired for his fine pieces, J. Forest of Paris was one of the most celebrated globe makers of the early 20th century. The same model was offered by Christie's Auction House (Kensington) June 1999, Lot 64. It was appraised in the amount of 460€-760€, which is equivalent to $600 - $1,000. This masterpiece offers c 8 inch diameter plaster orb with hand applied paper gores, mounted into a numeric brass half meridian which connects to a baluster turned ebonized fruitwood base. Total height is 15 inches. Original scuffing and wormholes are visible on the base, one may call it character. The map is very clean and crisp, colors are rich. Indeed a superb artifact, sharing an imperial history of an era long gone. $525 — Item #: 1011FOREST26 - SOLD