A Pair of George III Terrestrial and Celestial table globes by Benjamin Martin

each on a mahogany tripod stand joined by stretchers and centered by a compass, the terrestrial globe inscribed M^{R Senex's / TERRESTRIAL GLOBE, / New drawn and improved / according to the latest Observations by / JAMES FERGUSON / Made and Sold by / BENJAMIN MARTIN / Fleet Street London}, the celestial globe inscribed A New Caelestial / GLOBE / Wheron the STARS are Carefully / laid down from the Correct / -Observations- / OF / M^{r Hevelins Dr Halley &c. / BY JNO SENEX F.R.S. / Now made & Sold with very considerable / Improvements by B. MARTIN / Fleet Street}.

Good restored condition; the globes with a cleaned surface with traces of dirt and discoloration; the celestial globe with old repaired breaks to the upper pole the by constellations 'camel', 'hircus', and 'Vrla Major'; small losses, restoration and inpainting the lower pole and scratches around the constellation 'Pavo', 'Indus', and 'Phoenix'; the internal counterweight with losses and subsequent loose pieces to the interior; the stand with some age cracks, losses and wear to the horizon ring; two quarter supports with old repaired breaks at join with stem; brackets later; the paper dial to the compass later; the brass ring to the compass later; the glass possibly replaced; some old glue to stretchers. The terrestrial globe with crack across central Europe from 'Denmark' to the 'Caspian Sea' and subsequent cracks throughout Asia; diagonal crack running from 'Arabia' to 'Ethiopia'; cracks in 'Loango' and 'Angola'; cracks in 'India' and in 'Indian Ocean'; cracks through 'New Holland' and into the 'Pacific Ocean' off the coast of 'China'; cracks throughout the south Atlantic Ocean; crack to south pole with inpainting and restoration; minor pieces loose inside globe probably from counter-weight; the stand with some age cracks, brackets later; one bracket lacking; minor wear and losses to the horizon ring with some traces of dirt and discoloration and with minor separation at one line of construction; the paper dial to the compass later; the glass possibly replaced; the needle to the compass loose but present.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Benjamin Martin, one of the largest producers of globes in England in the third quarter of the 18^th century, began his career as a globe maker in 1757 after having pursued scientific activities in the 1730s and setting up an instrument making business in 1756.  He began his globe production after purchasing John Senex's copper plates from James Ferguson, who had only just bought the plates from Senex's widow the previous year.  Martin's first premises were close to Crane Court on Fleet Street, moving in 1759 to 171 Fleet Street where he set up his permanent premises until his death in 1782.  In 1762, Martin published his book The description and use of both the globes, the armillary sphere and the orrery, as a guide to use his globes.  However, by the late 1770s his business had dwindled and he went bankrupt in 1782.