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Townsend's Patent Folding Globe. Townsend, Dennis, 1870

Townsend's Patent Folding Globe. / Townsend, Dennis / 1870
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Full Title: Townsend's Patent Folding Globe. Patented by Dennis Townsend Feb. 16, 1869. (both hemispheres shown).

Author: Townsend, Dennis

Date: 1870

This historical cartographic image is part of the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, www.davidrumsey.com, a large collection of online antique, rare, old, and historical maps, atlases, globes, charts, and other cartographic items. Read more about the Collection. Or you can view the entire David Rumsey Map Collection in Insight.

Full David Rumsey Map Collection Catalog Record:

Author: Townsend, Dennis

Date: 1870

Short Title: Townsend's Patent Folding Globe.

Publisher: Boston: George M. Smith; Felchville, Vermont: Dennis Townsend

Type: Globe

Object Height cm: 24

Object Width cm: 24

Scale 1: 85,000,000

Note: Both hemispheres shown in flattened state. Globe in full color with numbered counties and features. Globe has rings on both ends which allow it to be easily expanded and to be hung. Instructions are also given for mounting the globe on a stand.

Reference: Warner p132; Welsh sale catalogue (Sotheby's New York) #405.

World Area: World

Full Title: Townsend's Patent Folding Globe. Patented by Dennis Townsend Feb. 16, 1869. (both hemispheres shown).

List No: 3891.001

Series No: 3

Published In: Townsend's Patent Folding Globe ... Publishers: George M. Smith & Co., 129 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. Dennis Townsend, Felchville, Windsor County Vt. Edward E. Rice & Co., Steam Job Printers, 5 Hawley Street, Boston, Mass. (On the cover of the folder holding the collapsed globe; on the globe itself: "Patented by Dennis Townsend Feb. 16, 1869").

Publication Author: Townsend, Dennis

Publication Date: 1870

Publication Reference: Warner p132; Welsh sale catalogue (Sotheby's New York) #405.

Publication Note: Townsend's second collapsible globe with an internal mechanism for holding it open. The first collapsible Townsend globe was held open by an external stand - apparently no examples exist. Townsend was a school teacher in Vermont and later in California. His interest in globes was to produce a cheap globe that could be owned and used by students instead of a flat "map which, without explanation, is a false illustration, and can be understood only by a process of reasoning entirely beyond the mind of the child" (from Townsend's "Folding Globe Lessons"). This copy is presumed to be the second issue of this globe - an earlier issue has a somewhat different folder with only Townsend listed as publisher. However, it is not certain that both examples were not produced simultaneously in different cities. Both Globes are dated the same. Originally from the Welsh Collection. With a photocopy of Townsend's Folding-Globe Lessons, and an original advertising flyer for the globe.

Publication List No: 3891.000

Publication Type: Globe

Publication Maps: 1

Publication Height cm: 31

Publication Width cm: 26

Image No: 3891001

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