We receive inquiries just about every day as to the value of an older globe by customers who have discovered one in their attic, at a garage sale, are collectors and antique dealers wondering how much is my old globe worth.
While we focus for the most part on the sale of current globes, here are a few things to consider about the value of an older world globe:
How old is your world globe?
Is it less than 50 years old, or is it turn of the 20th century or before? Check out our How Old is Your Globe article for assistance in dating your globe based on place names, and if it is more than 50 years old, visit our friends at Murray Hudson for globes that date back to the turn of the century and before.
What is the condition of your globe?
If your globe is less than 50 years old and the map is severely torn, ripped, or weathered, chances are it will not fetch a whole lot. That is unless the globe contains a unique feature or two that are no longer in production.
How is it mounted, and what is the condition of the stand?
If the stand is intact and in good condition, that is a plus. Having a stand that is unique and no longer in production may increase the value.
How was it acquired, and who owned it?
Is there a story behind the acquisition of the globe, who owned it, the purpose for which it served? Was it a world globe made for a dignitary or head of state? While these details are not critical in determining the value of a globe, the story and ownership of a world globe can make it more attractive to antique dealers and collectors. Old world globes do contain historical value based on the date of creation, such as:
- Political borders & boundaries
- How landmasses are displayed
- Names and places of locations, i.e., Country, Capital, City, etc.
Many collectors look for specific features on a globe, such as a significant named place change or the layout of the landmasses. The landmass display can be unique on very old world globes as this was the understanding of how the earth was at that time.
If you are looking for a turn of the century globe, well, they are not as cheap as you can imagine. Some companies do produce world globes today with period maps from the 15th, 16th & 17th Centuries. Many of these can be found on our Old World Globes page. However, if you are searching for an actual globe from a specific period check out our friends at Murray Hudson.