Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and AstronomyStevenson, Edward Luther
History
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy
Stevenson, Edward Luther
Geography -- History; Globes
Fiorini notes the existence of a large terrestrial globe belonging
to the Marquis Luigi Cusani,[153] which probably was constructed in the
early eighteenth century, perhaps before 1730, by order of Cardinal
Agostino Cusani. The globe, unsigned and undated, is of papier-mâché,
having a diameter of about 120 cm. The paper gores with which the sphere
is covered are not all of like form, but all are cut at the line of the
equator and at latitude 80 both north and south, the usual circular disc
being provided for covering the polar areas. On its surface the map has
been drawn by hand, and practically all of the geographical names
recorded are in the Italian language. The globe is mounted on a solid
base, having a heavy horizon circle of wood, which is graduated, and on
its surface are the names and the signs of the several zodiacal
constellations, the names of the months and of the principal winds or
directions. The meridian circle, within which the sphere revolves, is of
brass and is graduated. It is reported to be in a good state of
preservation.
The Biblioteca Comunale of Siena possesses two anonymous terrestrial
globes, according to report of Fiorini, the one having a map in
manuscript, the other having an engraved map.[154] The first of these,
unsigned and undated, probably of the second quarter of the century, has
a diameter of about 120 cm. The sphere is of wood, the surface of which
is covered with mastic or varnish, and on this the map has been drawn.
It is constructed to revolve within its simple mounting of wood by means
of a crank. The title legend reads “Globe terrestre Dressé selon les
observations de l’Acad. Royale de Paris et des autres Acad. plus
célébrés d’Europe.” “Terrestrial globe constructed according to the
observations of the Royal Academy of Paris and of other Academies the
most celebrated in Europe.” In addition to the above legend one finds
the following inscription: “On a pris la longitude des villes
principales des Tables de Mᵘʳ Philippe de La Hire. Les autres villes
ou il n’ a point d’observations sont icy places en la même distance des
villes principales dans la quelle on les voit dans les cartes de M.
Guillaume de l’Isle.” “The longitudes of the principal towns have been
taken from the tables of Mᵘʳ Philippe de La Hire.[155] The other towns
which have not been located from observation are placed at the same
distance from the principal towns as they are located on the maps of M.
Guillaume de l’Isle.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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