Saturday, 18 April 2026

Globe Making by Hand

Hi Woodsy,

Another batch of British Pathe films, this time from 1949 (in black and white) and 1955 (in colour), on the making of globes.

 From a wooden sphere, covered in paper, nine layers of plaster, segments of map being glued in place, and a final spray coat of varnish – all done by hand.

Globes were expensive, and you can see why once you realise the amount of labour and hand finishing involved in making them. Pathe packed a lot in to these short films.



Another look at modern globe making, which is still impressive. But a lot more mechanised.


Paul Adams from New Zealand

Have you got a globe?

6 comments:

  1. Neat! I've always loved globes.

    I have one made of precious stones.

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  2. Yet another lost art! SFZ

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  3. Some moneyboxes are shaped like globes.

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  4. Paul Adams from New Zealand4/20/2026 7:01 am

    Eldon in the USA did a World Maker globe kit, around the 1960s. I think I might have sent you an article on this ?

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