The two largest earth and terrestrial globes ever made by Willem Jansz.Blaeu (1571-1638), masterpieces of the Nottebohm room in the Antwerp Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience Library are being restored. The work of conservation and restoration, which will last for 9 months, will restore all of the globes’ original brilliance and preserve them for future generations.

This project is an initiative of the Hendrik Conscience Library and has been able to be undertaken thanks to support from the Léon Courtin-Marcelle Bouché Fund of the King Baudouin Foundation.

The earth and terrestrial globes are absolute masterpieces and magnificent testimonies to the progress made in cartography during the 17th century. However, their current state necessitated in-depth conservation and restoration. Special showcases are being made for the globes so that in future they can be kept in optimal conditions.

The two globes should be accessible to the public again from February 2013.