Background

The Gates Globe collection of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library consists of nearly 50 unique objects, ranging from English desk globes and embroidered globes, to orreries (mechanical models of the solar system) and pocket globes (see below). The collection was gifted to the Beinecke in 2018 by Laura Gates, the wife of Stephen Gates '68. Mr. Gates was an avid cartographic collector and a generous supporter of the library. Upon acquiring the globes, CCH undertook a large-scale project to survey the condition and house the entire collection. By the Fall of 2019, the entire collection was successfully housed and transferred to Beinecke's on-site storage facility, and is now available to researchers, students, and staff to view or study.

Survey

• A condition survey of the entire collection was conducted before housing.
• This documented bibliographic information, physical description, condition of major components, and measurements (used to create housings).
• Information from the survey was also used to determine conservation priorities, should treatment of these objects be available in the future. 

Housing  

• Custom boxes were made using the Kasemake automated box machine.
• The standard box design for majority a of the small-medium globes consisted of a 2-piece box with a drop-front wall and a removable inner tray for easier access. 
• Volara  and Ethafoam  and "board." bumpers were added to secure the globes in place within the box.
• Special accommodations were made for unique or damaged globes. E.g. custom supports, modifications to the prototype box to include additional components, such as name plates and accessories.