c. 1791-1821
Founded by John Cary and his brother William.
Highly recognized for their excellence in quality. The business
was very prosperous, both as instrument makers and map publishers.
Continued by sons George and John Cary. Sold to G.F. Cruchley in
1850, who continued to produce globes under the Cary name.
One of the most important globe making firms of the early 19th century
was founded by John Cary (1755-1835), an engraver and map seller.
In 1770, he was apprenticed to William Palmer and made a freeman
in 1778. He started his globe making business in 1791, when he advertised
3.5, 9, 12, and 21 in. terrestrial and celestial globes from entirely
new plates. In 1812, he added a celestial model and, in 1816, a
pair of 18 in. globes. In making globes and plantaria, Cary co-operated
with his brother William (c. 1759-1825), a London instrument maker
who had learned his trade as an apprentice to Jesse Ramsden. In
other projects, however, the two brothers maintained separate businesses.
From 1792, the globe firm was located at 181 The Strand.
In about 1820, John moved to 86 St James's Street, leaving the old
place in The Strand to his two sons, George (c. 1788-1859) and John
Cary, Jr. (1791-1852) who, by that time, had become involved in
the globe making business. After the death of John Jr. in 1852,
the firm was managed by Henry Gould. The firm name “William
Cary” was maintained until 1890.
Dictionary of map makers
An illustrated list of makers of maps, charts and globes from the earliest time of cartography to present.
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