Terrestrial table globe - Day/night globe - 1980-1990

A rare and technically advanced day/night globe, produced by Istituto Geografico De Agostini S.p.A., Novara (Italy) and printed in 1964. With a diameter of 33 cm and a total height of 53 cm, this globe represents an impressive example of mid-20th-century educational and scientific design.

What makes this globe truly distinctive is its sophisticated illumination and calendar system, offering multiple interactive features:
• Day and night indication when illuminated, shown by a realistic shadow effect
• Adjustment by month and even by day of the year
• Time indication via a rotating meridian
• Seasonal indicators marking the equinoxes and solstices (spring, summer, autumn and winter)
• Dual cartography:
o Light off: physical geography
o Light on: political boundaries

These advanced features made the globe an exceptional teaching instrument in its time and today give it clear collector’s value.

Manufactured by the renowned Istituto Geografico De Agostini, one of Italy’s most important cartographic institutes, this globe reflects the high educational and technical standards for which the firm is internationally known.

Condition
The globe is complete and structurally sound, and remains in good condition for its age.
There are, however, two notable areas of damage, clearly visible in the photographs, both probably heat-related:
• A darkened mark in Northern Europe
• Surface damage near the equator around South America

Despite these imperfections, the globe retains significant collector interest due to its rarity, technical complexity and historical importance. Moreover, it remains a striking decorative object, offering strong visual presence and character in an interior, study or display setting.

A rare opportunity to acquire an uncommon De Agostini globe that combines educational heritage, mechanical ingenuity and decorative appeal.