Rare Miniature Globe by Smith & Son with "Supposed Antarctic Continent"

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, SANDWICH IS. Smith & Son. Outline of the Earth 2.5 inch orb. Smith & Son. London. c.1840's.

Coated engraved gores over wood sphere, no time dial at North Pole. Oceans finished in tan with continents outlined in red and green. All coloring hand done. On a miniature raised stand of walnut with round turned base and turned column with conforming brass ferule similar to a half meridian. Professionally restored and relaquered. Geography shows Alaska as "Russian Territory", North America colored green with the UNITED STATES confined to eastern half. Texas stands out as one of the few regions named, apparently in reference to its status as a separate republic. Roughly located Vancouver and Monterey. "Chinese Tartary", Australia is now Australia. Geography indicative of the 1840's. Smith & Son were active at this period, from 1803 to 1862, at no. 172 Corner of Surrey Street Strand. They were engraver and map seller to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, but are usually represented by much larger globes. This fine miniature is a rare item with handsome patina and quite legible.