Vintage Scholastic World Globe by George Cram -10.5" inch Desktop circa 1958-1961
To be well-informed on present-day world happenings, you need an up-to-date globe in your home. {Advertisement for Cram's Terrestrial Globes, 1936}
{HISTORY}
What's a globe doing in the kitchen you might ask?! Around here, we think EVERY kitchen needs one. Take a spin, get inspired, and try something new. If you can't physically travel to your desired destination, you can always travel there through food made right in your very own cookspace.
Lonely for London? Make some English tea and crumpets. Sick for Switzerland? Pull out the fondue pot and pick out some cheese. Fretful for France? Comfort yourself with a glass of wine, a slow stew and a crusty baguette. Wistful for Warsaw? Well... you get the picture. The entire world is at your doorstep when you walk into the kitchen. A vintage globe aids in the adventure of it all.
This old darling of a desktop wonder was made by The George F. Cram Company for their mid-20th century Scholastic line. Founded by George Cram, himself, in the 1860s, the company first started as a map and atlas manufacturer. By the 1920s, they had moved into globe making after George sold the business but kept his name attached. In the 1930s, thanks to a talented sales team, Cram globes were introduced to the educational system, becoming a classroom staple, a helpful study guide and an icon for scholarly wisdom and worldly knowledge all at once. Soon after, they become popular decorating and educational pieces at home too. Attractive enough for display, globes often became a part of family rooms, dens, offices, and libraries where the whole family could share in its enjoyment.
This globe in particular was made in the slim window between 1958-1961 as determined, after careful research, by the various historical information and placenames included on the map. History lovers will delight at the sight of the Union of Soviet Socialists, Dahomey, Central African Republic, Tanganyika, Ceylon and other points of interest that have changed over the course of the past 65 years. Other interesting information contained on the map includes time zones, topographical landmarks, ocean currents, travel routes and the movement of the sun.
Aged to perfection, the colors of this globe have darkened over time turning a once bright blue sea to a deep teal with a semi-matte finish. This lovely aging process has naturally enhanced the vibrancy of all the other colors captured around the globe turning it into a pretty art piece as well as a functional reference tool.
Place it on a kitchen shelf or a display cupboard and watch it transform your ideas of what to cook next. With just a spin or two of this vintage time traveler something delicious awaits!
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- Made between 1958-1961
- Scholastic series
- Naturally aged aesthetic
{CONDITION}
In lovely vintage condition. The metal base contains a small bit of rust as expected with age but remains very strong and sturdy. The brass meridian rotates around the globe, although it's not a completely smooth transition as it wobbles in the revolution a little bit. The globe itself spins easily and smoothly. The globe map shows a little bit of age in some minor scuff marks near Ireland and the North Pacific Ocean. There is a small surface gash measuring 1.25" inches in length in the ocean near the Congo Republic and there is some very minor flaking near the Bay of Bengal. None of these aged areas are very noticeable thanks to the overall beauty and clarity of the globe itself. Please see photos for details.
{SIZE}
This is a 10 1/2" inch globe with a height of 14.5" inches. It weighs 2.5 lbs.
{STYLE IDEA}
Pair this beauty with an international cookbook and you'll be ready to go on an adventure by dinner time!