Pocket terrestrial globe (detail)

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This is a detail of a pocket terrestrial globe made in 1793 by John Miller, a scientific instrument maker based in Edinburgh. It is an example of the first successful attempt to produce globes in Scotland.

The detail shows the cartouche (small paper sticker) on the surface of the globe inscribed 'A/ NEW/ GLOBE/ of the/ EARTH/ By John Miller/ Mathematical Instrument/ Maker/ EDINBURGH 1793'.

John Miller had earlier been in association with surveyor John Ainslie (1745-1828) in a project to produce globes, but this had failed by 1777. These schemes were aimed at the luxury end of the market, rather than as a teaching aid.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-045-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1964.5
• Date: 1793
  
• Material: Leather case
  Globe, terrestrial / case
  
• Dimensions: 3.00" D
  
• What: Globe, terrestrial / case
  
• Subject: 5. CARTOGRAPHY, Globes (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: John Miller, Edinburgh (Globe maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Terrestrial globe, damaged and lacking three small sections of the plaster, and in a spherical leather case with a gored celestial map pasted on the inside, by John Miller, Edinburgh, 1793
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 30,55 
  • Simpson, A.D.C. 'Globe production in Scotland in the period 1770-1830'. Der Globusfreund: Journal for the study of globes and related instruments. Vienna, 1987 
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