Lot Essay
A number of M.P.S. globes were offered at Christie's on 26 November 1997 (pp.13-16) of which Lot 26 appears to be superficially similar to the globe offered here, an obvious difference being the border of the lid decoration, which here is narrower. This globe also lacks the tracks of the voyages of Bernhard, Sir John Ross and Sir William Parry, which would suggest a date prior to 1840. Little of the Antarctic coastline is shown, but what is Wilke's Land is marked, which is curious considering that Captain Wilke's exploration of the Southern polar regions took place between 1838-1842, whilst the commonly appearing Enderby's Land was named in 1833, but is here lacking.
The note to Lot 24 explores the possible origins of the trade label MPS; Lot 3 in the same sale, by Carl Bauer, is labelled MCB in a similar fashion to the usual M.P.S. label, suggesting that PS may be the initials of the publisher; however, Lot 24 also shows an eight-pointed star above the maker's mark, reminiscent of the Polarstern (Pole Star). Whilst this does not occur on this example or on others in the sale of 26 November 1997, it may suggest that MPS refers to the principle navigational reference: "Marke Polar Sterne".
The note to Lot 24 explores the possible origins of the trade label MPS; Lot 3 in the same sale, by Carl Bauer, is labelled MCB in a similar fashion to the usual M.P.S. label, suggesting that PS may be the initials of the publisher; however, Lot 24 also shows an eight-pointed star above the maker's mark, reminiscent of the Polarstern (Pole Star). Whilst this does not occur on this example or on others in the sale of 26 November 1997, it may suggest that MPS refers to the principle navigational reference: "Marke Polar Sterne".