Donaldson & Sons

The terrestrial composed of 12 hand-coloured engraved paper gores laid down onto a metal sphere, signed in the engraved cartouche "DONALDSON’S TERRESTRIAL GLOBE 1830 Additions to 1834 Engraved by W. & A.K. Johnston Published by DONALDSON & SONS So Niddry St Edinburgh", the equatorial and ecliptic graduated in degrees, the Greenwich meridian graduated in degrees, tropics and polar circles marked. 

The celestial composed of 12 hand-coloured engraved paper gores laid down to the ecliptic poles on a metal sphere, signed in the engraved cartouche "Published by Donaldson and Son So Niddry St DONALDSON’S CELESTIAL GLOBE with the latest ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES 1829 Engraved by W. & A.K. Johnston Edin", the equatorial and ecliptic, and the solstitial and equinoctial colures graduated in degrees, the constellations depicted by mythical beasts and figures, scientific instruments, etc., and identified by their Latin names, the stars shown to six orders of magnitude, tropics and polar circles marked, the globe mounted at the celestial poles. 



Both globes with brass hour rings and mounted in later brass meridian rings graduated in degrees, mahogany horizon rings with hand-coloured engraved paper rings showing months and houses of the zodiac with engraved figures, the horizon rings supported on four quadrants on tripod stands with claw feet, the stands later and painted with a marbelised finish. Some minor marking or scuffing and occasional restoration to the globes, horizon rings lightly chipped.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An unusually early set of metal globes by Alexander Donaldson and Son, with paper gores engraved by the leading cartographers and globe-makers William (1802-1888) and Alexander Keith Johnston (1804-1871), who had formed their company in 1826 and would become engravers to King William IV in 1834 and continue to hold the appointment under Queen Victoria.  Donaldson was variously described in directories of the era as a printer, globe-maker, tool-maker, turner, printer’s-joiner, etc. and this familiarity with working with a variety of materials may have led him to use metal instead of the traditional armatures of pasteboard and plaster for his globes.