National Geographic Globe Indices

[George Thomas Wilson]

National Geographic Globe Indices

 

In his book, Collectibles of the National Geographic Society (1982), Roger E. Nathan documents and provides a checklist for a plethora of National Geographic items.  One group of such items is his list of Globes produced by The Society.  On the bottom of page 102, Nathan has a small, two-paragraph introduction to the globes, and on most of page 103 he has his familiar checklist of the Globes – ten in all (four Political, four Revised Political, and two Physical).  And finally, he has a list entitled “Globe Instruction Booklets” containing five items, four of which include Globe Indices.  Here is what Nathan had to say:

Big disclaimer: I do not have any National Geographic Globes, nor do I intend to purchase any.  My interest is exclusively in the booklets.

At the bottom of the Political Globe list, Natan rather cryptically states: “All globes have been published in various editions.”  Whether that means additional years or not, I have no clue.  To further my confusion, the first Instruction Booklet listed, the 1961 Guide and Index has the addendum, (Published in various editions).  Does that mean there are numerous versions of this one item?  Or does it mean this item was used over and over?

The reason for this post is the recent acquisition of two items for Natan’s Booklet list: the first in the list, “National Geographic Globe: A guide to its use and index to place names” (1961), and the last in the list, “Advanced Study Guide to the National Geographic Globe” (1961).  This last item has two discrepancies with Natan’s listed item.  First, Globe is singular; Nathan has it as Globes.  Second, the copyright year for my item is 1961, Nathan has it listed as 1963.  The two items came together and cost about $20 including shipping and tax.  That means they were $10 a piece.  These two new items join the “National Geographic Political Globe: Index and Guide” (1976) which I have had in my collection since August 31, 2015.  The only items on the list I do not have are the “National Geographic Physical Globe: Index and Guide” (1971) and its 1979 revision.

Here are the items in my collection:

 

National Geographic Political Globe: Index and Guide (1961) – 20 Pages.

 

Advanced Study Guide for the National Geographic Globe (1961) – 20 Pages.

 

National Geographic Revised Political Globe: Index and Guide (1976) – 26 Pages.

 

Yours in collecting,

Tom Wilson