An exceptional matching pair of Regency period floor 18" globes, one terrestrial and one celestial, by John and William Cary (1754-1835 and 1759-1825, respectively) of London. Engraved and hand-colored. The Cary brothers were renowned creators of precision instruments, and their globes were widely regarded as the very finest that England had to offer in the Georgian/Regency period.

The terrestrial globe's cartouche reads: "Cary's New Terrestrial Globe. Exhibiting the tracks and discoveries made by Captain Cook; also those of Captain Vancouver on the Northwest Coast of America; and M. de la Perouse on the coast of Tartary, together with every other improvement collected from various navigators and travellers of the present time. / London / Made & sold by J&W Cary, Strand March 1st, 1816. With corrections and additions to 1820."

The celestial globe's  reads: "Cary's New Celestial Globe. On which are laid down the whole of the stars nebulae &c. contained in the astronomical works of the Revd. F. Wollaston F.R.S. De la Caille, Herschel, Hevelius, Mayer, Flamsteed, Bradley &c. / Made & sold by J&W Cary Strand March 1816."

Each globe is 18" in diameter. Each is presented atop a walnut tripod stand with brass casters, each measuring 45" x 24" in total. Overall, the celestial globe is in good condition, and the terrestrial is in fair to good condition. The globes each have a very nicely aged patina, though some areas of middle Asia and the North Pacific on the terrestrial globe's surface decoration have rubbed away. The celestial globe turns without issue, the terrestrial globe leans slightly into the stand, and must either be slightly adjusted or held aside to turn. There is a small amount of cracking to the globes' decoration, with no losses. There are small losses and replacements to the paper horizon ring atop the terrestrial globe's stand.