Our Maps on Handcrafted Desktop Globes

Some of you may remember October 2022, when we were on our way to France to visit our map exhibited in Lyon. At the time, we mentioned that we would be visiting some future partners along our route that we hoped would be beneficial for our small business.

One of these meetings indeed proved to be highly beneficial for our business. It took two years to complete the project, but we are proud to be the first to sell globes showing all the world's river basins - a unique piece of cartographic design and geographic art.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that having one's work featured on a globe is every mapmaker's dream. Ever since Robert finished the global river basin maps in 2018, he has also been entertaining this idea. After researching potential partners, he approached Columbus Globes, the world's oldest and most respected globe manufacturer. Not only were they open to the idea, but, as Niklas Oestergaard (COO at Columbus and the founder's great-great-grandson) said a few days ago, they believed that this collaboration was a perfect match. We couldn't agree more!

Creating a product so different to anything we had worked on before - transforming our digital maps into luxury home décor - presented many unexpected challenges. At one point, Robert had to recreate the global maps from scratch, and we needed help with graphic design, product photography, and many other things. Fine-tuning every small detail of the globes, with active participation from Columbus's wonderful team, took hundreds of hours. However, seeing the final products, we could not be more satisfied.

How are the globes made?

First, our maps are printed in an astonishingly high resolution of 1400 DPI on special paper that makes the colours pop. These printed maps are then cut into 12 segments and applied by hand on the acrylic sphere by trained artisans. Finally, they apply a clear, high-gloss coat to give the globe its radiant sheen. The base and the meridian are made from satin brushed stainless steel, combining simplicity and elegance.

When we visited Columbus in 2022, we were impressed by the globemakers' effectiveness and precision. We experienced a professional yet friendly atmosphere in every room and hall we visited. We really felt that we had found what we had been looking for.

Of all the globemakers, we chose Columbus because of their premium craftsmanship, high-quality products, and the great variety of globes and materials they offer - an opportunity to expand our collaboration and product range in the future. The last two years have given us hope that this will be the start of a long and fruitful collaboration with many new and exciting developments ahead.

Robert and Niklas at Columbus HQ

Unlike traditional political globes, these nature-inspired globes showcase the beauty of the natural world from a new perspective. They won't become outdated - they're timeless pieces that will be part of your family for generations to come. Explore our collection of river basin and topographic globes in our shop.