Philips’ 9 Inch Terrestrial Globe – Warm Currents Red – Cold Currents Blue – Principal Shipping Routes With Distances In Nautical Miles – c.1935-1955 – George Philip & Son Ltd

Publisher: George Philip & Son Ltd
Price: £800 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: c.1935-1955
Format: Colour printed
Condition: Near fine
Size: 14 inches high

Condition:

Details: London Geographical Institute, George Philip & Son Ltd, 32 Fleet Street, Printed in Great Britain. Date: c.1935-1955. On original ebonised base with chrome half ring. Overall height: 14 inches. The age is identified by Iran, Belgian Congo, Peking and Istanbul all being visible. Scale presumed to be 1:56,000,000. In bright, clean condition with none of the usual browning and only very minor signs of wear. In near fine condition overall. Scarce.

George Philip & Son Ltd: A Historical Overview

Foundation and Early Development

George Philip & Son Ltd was one of the most important British cartographic publishing houses of the 19th and 20th centuries, specialising in maps, atlases, globes, and educational materials.

• Founded in 1834 in Liverpool by George Philip (1800–1882)
• Initially focused on schoolbooks and educational publishing
• Expanded rapidly into cartography, responding to growing demand for geographic knowledge during the Victorian period

Liverpool was a strategic base: as a major port city, it provided direct exposure to global trade networks, reinforcing the firm’s interest in practical geography.

Expansion to London and Institutional Identity

By the early 1850s, the company established a major London presence at 32 Fleet Street, later expanding to adjoining premises.

• London office often styled as the “London Geographical Institute”
• Functioned as the firm’s principal cartographic and editorial hub
• Enabled close alignment with educational authorities, publishers, and scientific institutions

This dual-city structure—Liverpool (printing and business origins) and London (intellectual and commercial centre)—was central to the firm’s success.

Core Product Areas

1. Atlases

Philip’s atlases became widely used in British schools and households.

• School atlases: clear, standardised, pedagogically structured
• General reference atlases: combining political and physical mapping
• Regularly updated to reflect changing geopolitical boundaries

They were valued for clarity, accuracy, and accessibility, aligning with expanding literacy and education reforms.

2. Globes

The company was a leading producer of terrestrial and celestial globes, ranging from small desk models to large educational examples.

Key features:

• Accurate cartographic gores (printed map segments applied to spheres)
• Inclusion of scientific data (ocean currents, trade routes, time zones)
• Durable construction for institutional and domestic use

Globes often reflected contemporary geopolitical realities, making them useful tools for dating historical changes.

3. Wall Maps and Educational Charts

Philip’s produced large-format materials for classrooms:

• Physical geography maps (relief, climate, ocean systems)
• Political maps of the British Empire and the wider world
• Thematic charts illustrating trade, population, and resources

These materials supported the expansion of formal geography education in Britain.

4. Nautical and Practical Cartography

Although not a hydrographic authority like the Admiralty, the firm produced:

• Maps incorporating shipping routes and distances
• Commercial geography materials for trade and navigation awareness
• Reference works used by merchants, educators, and informed readers

Cartographic Style and Methodology

Philip’s maps are characterised by:

• Strong emphasis on legibility
• Clear colour differentiation between political units
• Careful integration of physical and thematic data
• Balanced typography designed for educational clarity

The firm prioritised functional clarity over decorative excess, distinguishing it from earlier, more ornamental map traditions.

Scientific and Educational Context

The rise of George Philip & Son coincided with:

• Expansion of the British Empire
• Growth of global trade networks
• Increasing importance of geographical literacy in education

Their publications helped standardise how geography was taught and understood, particularly in Britain and across the Empire.

Corporate Development and 20th-Century Evolution

Transition to Limited Company

• Became George Philip & Son Ltd in the late 19th century
• Continued as a family-influenced enterprise while expanding operations

20th-Century Adaptation

• Updated products to reflect:
  • Changing national borders (post–World Wars)
  • Advances in geographic science
• Continued production of globes, atlases, and educational materials well into the mid-20th century

Acquisition

• In 1988, the company was acquired by the Reed International
• The Philip’s imprint continued, particularly in atlases and reference publishing

Relationship to Other Cartographic Traditions

George Philip & Son operated alongside other major British and European publishers, such as:

• John Bartholomew & Son (noted for precision and engraving)
• Ordnance Survey (state mapping authority)

Philip’s niche was distinct:

• Focus on accessible, mass-produced educational cartography
• Bridging professional geographic knowledge and public understanding

Distinctive Contributions

1. Democratisation of Geography

Philip’s made geographic knowledge widely available through affordable publications.

2. Integration of Applied Geography

Their globes and maps frequently included:

• Trade routes
• Ocean currents
• Time zones

This reflected a practical, globalised worldview.

3. Standardisation of Educational Materials

Their atlases helped define how geography was taught in British schools for decades.

Collectability and Legacy

Today, George Philip & Son materials are collected for:

• Historical cartography
• Educational history
• Decorative and design value

Dating significance:

• Changing borders and place names provide precise chronological markers
• Publisher addresses (e.g. Fleet Street) help narrow production periods

Significance in Cartographic History

George Philip & Son Ltd occupies a central position in the evolution of modern cartography:

• Bridging 19th-century imperial geography and 20th-century global awareness
• Integrating scientific, commercial, and educational perspectives
• Anticipating modern expectations of clarity and usability in maps

Concluding Assessment

From an expert standpoint, George Philip & Son Ltd represents a highly authoritative and credible force in the development of British cartographic publishing. Its reputation rests on consistent production of accurate, clearly designed, and educationally effective materials over more than a century.

The firm’s trustworthiness is evidenced by its widespread institutional adoption and long-term influence on geographic education. Its enduring legacy lies in shaping how generations understood the world—not only as a set of territories, but as an interconnected system of places, routes, and processes.

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