Whether you are buying or selling a World Globe, it is important to be able to accurately date it. As a seller, your integrity is on the line when you make claims regarding the era an item comes from. As a buyer, it is important to feel confident that what you are purchasing is authentic. The key factor on both sides is knowledge. By using this guide you should be able to accurately date your world globe.

If you are interested in a quick reference guide to determine the decade your globe was made we suggest our other Globe Dating Guide, which is a brief list of changes arranged roughly by decade and is short enough to be printer friendly.

(Above: 1940 Art Deco Globe)

Approaching the Earth

When first looking at a globe, take note of the design elements and the signs of age that are present.

The Design Elements should reflect the time period of its creation.

Depending upon the maker, 1930's world globes will often have metal bases and full meridians, the longitudinal marker which circles from pole to pole.

World War II era globes, by comparison tend to use far less metal in their construction. The meridians become abbreviated or disappear entirely. Bases are designed with a reduced amount of metal. Globes with wood bases are designed to hold globes with any metal parts at all.

The 1950's globes were influenced by the designs created during the 1940's metal scarcity, but were no longer limited in its use. This led to a return of full meridians and metal bases, although not as large as the 1930's designs.

The 1960's saw the addition of the popular Danish Modern and Modernist styles in world globes.

Plastic bases and meridians tend to point to the 1970's when seen on globes.

(Above: Age spotting on 1930's globe)

The amount of wear should be appropriate for its age.

In many homes, the globe was an important resource in daily life. As radio and newspapers brought stories of far off places, people would use their globes to see where events were taking place. As a result, it is not uncommon to find wear that shows this.

The surface of the globe will often have age spotting, scuffs, and scratches. It is a rare globe indeed that does not have some indications of use. The paper surface used on the majority of globes is as susceptible to finger oils, glue, environmental conditions, and light as any ephemeral item.

Metal parts will oxidize or acquire a patina of age. One of the best places to look is on the inside of the meridian. The difficulty in safely cleaning this area means that even the pickiest cleaner would have a hard time polishing it.

Plastic parts should also show the appropriate amount of yellowing or crazing.

Overall, although it isn't impossible to find a vintage or antique world globe that is in outstanding shape, condition should be an important part of evaluating its age. Consider that even a globe which was rarely used may show fading on one side from exposure to light.

(Above: 1939 8" Desk Globe)

Useful Regions For Dating Your 20th Century Globe

The list of regions and countries below will provide you with a starting point.

(Above: Japanese controlled Korea, called Chosen)

Korea: This country was controlled by Japan and called Chosen from 1910-1945. In 1953, Korea was divided into North and South.

Vietnam: In 1949 a portion of French Indo-China became Vietnam, in 1954 it divided into North and South. The countries reunified in 1976.

The Eastern tip of Africa: Look for Italian East Africa in place of Ethiopia, 1936-1941 and Italian Somaliland, 1886-1960 along the southern part of the tip.

The Middle East: In 1935 Persia changed to Iran. Part of Palestine became Israel in 1948.

(Above: Palestine before Israel, note Trans-Jordan)

Putting It All Together

Use the countries you find to establish the time period of the globe creation.

Divided Korea and Vietnam= 1954-1976
Chosen instead of Korea= 1910-1945
Persia and French Indo China= 1935-1949
Israel and Italian Somaliland= 1948-1960
Somalia and unified Vietnam= 1960-1976

Now Check the Sections Below to Narrow Down The Time Period

The date a country was formed or became independent follows the name in the list below.

(Above: 1978 Africa)

After 1976

Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe: 1980

Germany Reunifies:1990

1960-1976

Collapse of Colonialism in Africa: 1960-1968

Algeria: 1962

Botswana:1966

Equatorial Guinea: 1968

United Arab Emirates: 1971

Bahamas: 1973

1945-1960

Pakistan: 1947

Vietnam: 1949

Tunisia: 1956

Ghana: 1957

United Arab Republic(Egypt & Syria): 1958

(Above: Italian East Africa, circled in red)

1935-1945

Italian East Africa: 1936

Thailand:1939

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania become part of Soviet Union: 1940

Ethiopia: 1941

During World War Two globe makers could not keep pace with the rapid global changes taking place. It is not uncommon to see an odd mixture of accurate and out of date borders on globes from the late 1930's, 1940, and 1941

(Above: Albania under Italian control)

1900-1935

United States gains control of Philippines, Cuba: 1898:

Norway: 1905

Albania: 1912, later invaded by Italian in 1939.

Panama Canal: 1914

Finland: 1917

Soviet Union: 1922

Turkey: 1923

Why did Constantinople get the works?: 1930 (Now its Istanbul)

Iraq: 1932

(Above: Danish Modern Lit Floor Globe)

Buying and Selling Tips

Now that you're determined the age of that globe here are some tips to help you buy or sell.

Buyers, Before You Bid. . .

Read the description carefully, when dating a globe the details can really matter.
Contact the seller to clarify anything that is not clear
Watch out for the use of archaic sounding names on globes, they are often used on a modern pieces to create sort of an older feel
Be prepared for shipping on globes to be fairly high, proper packaging adds weight

Sellers, When You're Listing. . .

Be sure to include all the country information you can, but always provide information to support any claims of age
Take a close-up photo of wear. Include at least one photo showing the absolutely worst area
Be prepared to pack the globe safely, bubble or foam wrap combined with at least 2 inches of packing peanuts on all sides is just about the safest method