J &W Carey, a firm of cabinet makers, began making celestial and terrestrial globes in 1791. The quality of their globes and stands was such that they became leaders in their field, making globes from 3 inches to 21 inches in diameter. Sometime between 1810 and 1820 Carey’s was commissioned to make a pair of 18 inch globes for a customer whose name is unknown, but who almost certainly had a library - as no library was considered complete without them. The early history of the globes is unclear until they were presented to St. Michael’s Lodge 1273 at its Consecration in 1869.

The donor was believed to be Bro. Bayley who also presented the Lodge columns and pedestals. The globes were initially placed on the floor of the Lodge in front of the Master’s pedestal, but as time went by their condition deteriorated to such an extent that they were removed to the corners of the Lodge Room against the back wall, forgotten and neglected. During a furniture valuation for insurance purposes, even in their dilapidated state, the globes were valued at a surprising £30,000. It was decided to raise the money needed for their restoration and conservation, to which end Mrs. Sylvia Sumira, the leading expert in the field, was contacted, who agreed to carry out the necessary work for the cost of £7800. Due to a large number of existing commissions, including one from the White House in Washington, she was unable to commence working on the globes for almost a year, but happily the job is now completed. The stands also required significant restoration, which was undertaken in-house by W Bros Len Manuell and Stan Duffeld.

Those two beautifully restored globes now stand, one on either side of the Senior Warden’s chair, to be admired by all who use and visit the Lodge.

WBro L D Manuell PPrDReg

From Ed46, P19