This is the globe that will command everyone’s attention! The massive 32” lighted Diplomat by Replogle is housed in a custom chrome base that really sets it apart from every other globe. The 80’s have never looked so good.

Description:

Made up of twelve hand applied paper gores over a plastic orb; this model would have been one of the largest commercially available globes on the market. The internal light has 3 levels of brightness that are controlled by touching the full brass meridian. The massive orb rests in a custom made chrome base and likely sat proudly in the lobby of a bank or corporation. Diameter of the orb is 32 inches with an overall length of roughly 40 inches and a total height of about 48 inches. Very well preserved with minor wear appropriate for its age. Warm patina.

History of the Globe Maker:

Luther Replogle, a former sales rep for Weber Costello, began making globes in his basement with imported British map gores. The breakthrough for his company occurred in 1932, when he obtained the contract to produce commutative globes for the worlds fair in Chicago in 1933, distributed by Marshall Fields & Co. During WW2 Replogle did not keep up with the constant change of political borders and continued printing the maps of 1939 through the early 1940’s . However, to encourage customers to continue purchasing his globes, he offered coupons for globes to be updated for a minimal fee once WW2 has ended and political borders have been established.

In the 1950’s Replogle ventured out into producing a few very unique globes, such as the Surprise Globe, the Wonder World, as well as a Magnetic Air Race Globe Game and the Quiz Globe. It was an attempt to expand sales into the toy market while competing with well known Children’s tin globe makers such as J.Chein and Ohio Art. Today Replogle is one of the world’s largest Globe manufacture.

Condition:

This globe has a couple large blemishes where the top layer of paper map is missing; luckily all the damage is over the oceans. In addition, there are several small nicks in the map and some soiling throughout. All the hardware including the brass meridian, the power cord, and the custom chrome stand are in perfect condition. Please see pictures for detail.

Age of the Globe:

The globe shows the political borders of the mid-1980’s: The Soviet Union is holding on and Upper Volta has changed their name to Burkina Faso (1984) but Côte d’Ivoire is still shown as Ivory Coast. (1986)

Please inquire about delivery options as the size will limit shipping to freight options only.

SKU - 1225LRGCS