Description
Malby globes, including this one, were typically labeled as “published under the superintendence of the Society for Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.” The SDUK, as it is often known, was a British organization founded in 1826 with the goal of creating educational publications for the working and middle classes, which included scientific and cartographic subjects. The Society actively published works from around 1827 to 1848 under the direction of Charles Knight, superintendent of publications. From 1828, Knight edited The British Almanack and Companion and printed various other SDUK works. The success of these productions was largely due to Knight’s efforts to promote them and to make the writing accessible.
An earlier version of a larger table globe published by Malby in 1845, also set in a half-meridian on a stand with central turned baluster, is in the collection of the National Maritime Museum in Britain and pictured in Dekker’s Globes at Greenwich. Although that globe is 12 inches in diameter, it has similar cartography and the same analemma as the offered 6-inch example. Malby also issued 9-inch table globes on turned central standard dish base mahogany stands. Read more about Malby in our Guide to Globe Makers.
Cartouche: MALBY’S/ TERRESTRIAL GLOBE/ compiled from the latest/ & MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES/ Including all the recent/ Geographical Discoveries/ Published under the superintendence/ OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE/ DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE/ By MALBY & SON./ 37
Parker Street, Little Queen Street,/ LONDON. 1866
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light scattered toning, wear, spotting. Few minor cracks at poles and scattered abrasions all now professionally restored, including minor losses to lettering in cartouche now supplied in manuscript. Stand generally good, richly patinated.
References:
“Charles Knight (publisher).”NationMaster.com. 2003-05. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Charles-Knight-(publisher) (10 February 2009).
Dekker, Elly, et al. Globes at Greenwich: A Catalogue of the Globes and Armillary Spheres in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. London:
Oxford University Press and the National Maritime Museum, 1999. pp. 404-407.
“Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge.”NationMaster.com. 2003-05. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Society-for-the-Diffusion-of-Useful-Knowledge (10 February 2009).