With sponsorship from the Japanese firm Dai Nippon Printing Co., 55 globes from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France collection have been digitized in 3D. These globes range in dates from the 15th through 19th centuries, and can be accessed on Gallica, the BnF digital library, at this site. It is possible to navigate the globes:

–        by theme (terrestrial, celestial, metallic globes),

–        by century,

–        by geographical origin.

Once you’ve selected the globe you wish to see, clicking the « 3D » button launches the viewer. The digitized item can be rotated in all directions, and zoomed in to discern details not easily seen on the original globe.

Thank you to Catherine Hofmann of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France for sharing information about this fascinating resource!