Pocket globe in case by Dudley Adams

Three-inch pocket globe in fish-skin case by Dudley Adams, Fleet Street, London, 1799-1802. A celestial map lines the inside of the case. The terrestrial globe is inscribed: ‘A New Globe of the Earth by Dudley Adams’. The voyages of Captain James Cook are also shown.

Globes were frequently sold in pairs, with a celestial globe showing the heavens accompanying the terrestrial globe. This compact pocket globe carries the celestial map on the inside of its fish-skin case. Like many globes of the period, it depicted the voyages of prominent explorers – in this instance Captain Cook – as well as geographical and astronomical information.

Dudley Adams was a member of one of the most successful instrument-making families of the 18th century. He was the youngest child of George Adams the Elder, instrument maker to King George III, and the brother of George Adams the Younger. He took over the globe-making business from his father and was appointed globe-maker to George III. However, his poor management of the business meant he was declared bankrupt in 1817.