Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
World Globe
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

World Globe

Artifact IDMO 1944.121.5
Object Type Globe
Maker (American, founded 1896)
Gifter
Maker (American)
Designer
Maker
Date1942
Mediumglobe: paper, wood
stand: painted steel, rubber
Dimensionspart a (globe) Diam 50 in x Wt 750 lb (340.2 kg x 127 cm )
 part b (stand) H 15 1/4 in x Diam 44 1/2 in (38.7 cm x 113 cm )
Physical DescriptionA large and heavy 50" diameter map of the world globe on a scale of 1:10,000,000 (or 157.8 miles per inch). The globe rests on rubber rollers mounted on a moveable base. On the base is an inscribed plaque that reads: THIS GLOBE IS PRESENTED TO / THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / BY THE / UNITED STATES ARMY / CHRISTMAS, 1942. Another smaller plaque attached to the base is inscribed: FRONT / SCHACHT ASSOCIATES / NEW YORK, N. Y. The globe was executed by the Weber Costello Company of Chicago Heights, Illinois. The ball was made by Cummins and Engbert, NYC. The base was designed by Henry Dreyfuss and executed by L. L. Schacht of NY.
Historical NotePresident Roosevelt kept this globe near his White House Oval Office desk and used it to trace troop movements and plan military strategy. General George C. Marshall presented it to FDR in 1942 as a Christmas gift from the U.S. Army. Marshall gave an identical globe to Winston Churchill. The Weber Costello Company of Chicago Heights, Illinois, built the globe under the supervision of the Office of Strategic Services and the War Department. It is on display in the Museum’s WORLD WAR II gallery.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
On view
Related Links