London artisans keep globe-making alive

When I was in elementary school, about 25 years ago, a huge globe was one of the most coveted and costly graduation gifts. But in this age of GPS, Google Maps and Google Earth, few clamor over traditional globes anymore, and the art of globe making has fallen by the wayside. In fact only two workshops in the world still make handcrafted globes; one of them is Bellerby & Co. Globemakers, a studio based in London.

Founded by Peter Bellerby seven years ago, the idea came about when the former bowling alley boss struggled to find a well crafted globe for his father's 80th birthday present. Faced with a choice between a crappy made globe or a pricey vintage type, he decided to spend some time and money making his own. It turned out to be quite a bit more challenging, time consuming and more expensive than he thought. Eventually, it led to the creation of his own globe-making studio.

Now, the 49-year-old and his team of passionate artisans create bespoke globes which are popular with celebrities. Embedded below is a six-minute clip that documents the intricate processes that go into making these wonderful objects, as well as a brief interview with the Globemaker himself.

[h/t: My Modern Met]