Photo by David Friend Productions, San Diego, California
GRAND SOHLBERG GLASS CONSTELLATION GLOBE
03-001. Swedish, 4th quarter 19th century, signed on a plate on the base "SOHLBERG HIMMELSGLOBE, OLLER &
Cni. STOCKHOLM, Tillverkad AF" and serial numbered No. 14. The 9 1/4" diameter thick glass globe
has brass endpieces at the top and bottom, with a brass rod mounted between the endpieces to
represent the polar axis and an 11/16" diameter earth globe in the middle of the rod; it is also
half-filled with colored liquid to represent the viewing horizon. The globe is mounted in a
semi-circular bracket which can be rotated against a brass scale engraved in degrees to set at globe
at the desired viewing latitude. The globe itself is engraved with rings of latitude and longitude
as well as with many stars. The globe in its bracket is mounted on curved arm which is part of a
very decorative heavy cast iron tripod base with spayed feet which is also ornately painted, and the
entire apparatus stands 22" tall overall. This extremely impressive astronomical model is in very
good overall condition, noting that the bottom neck has been reattached.
The "Grand Sohlbergs" were apparently originally made to be sold to schools and universities
in Sweden in the1880s, not for export. One reference states how 10 pieces had been made and
delivered to the more important universities in Sweden during 1882. Other schools were invited to
buy them and they would only be produced upon request. Accordingly, probably less than 50 were
originally made (of which this is number 14) and very few are known in collections today.
