Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 1 Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy

This volume opens a visual tour of the world’s oldest cartographic treasures, guiding listeners from ancient Egyptian mining sketches to the sophisticated armillary spheres of the Renaissance. Each chapter groups together related artifacts, offering concise commentary that places the pieces within the scientific and artistic currents of their time.

The collection moves chronologically, featuring a Babylonian tablet world‑plan, Ptolemy’s medieval maps, and a series of Arabic globes that reveal medieval Islamic geography. It then shifts to the age of exploration, presenting the groundbreaking globes of Martin Behaim, the Waldseemüller world map, and the intricate globes of Johann Schöner, all accompanied by portraits of the mapmakers who shaped them.

For anyone fascinated by how humanity has visualized the Earth and the heavens, this work serves as an engaging guide. Listeners will hear vivid descriptions of each illustration, learn about the museums and collections that preserve them, and gain a deeper appreciation for the evolving picture of our planet across centuries.