Is there any reason to keep an inexpensive student globe from the 1980s?
July 8, 2010 8:48 AM Subscribe
I have a student globe, dating from before the fall of the iron curtain (USSR intact, Germany in pieces, etc. etc.). I believe that it's from the early 1980s. I also need to free up some space in the hall closet, so I want to get rid of the globe. I think its worthless and can be given away without a second thought; my father disagrees. Who's right?
Best answer: ebay is your friend for this type of question... search for "world globe"...looks like they sell for $1 to $10 there...
posted by HuronBob at 8:58 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by HuronBob at 8:58 AM on July 8, 2010
When Hurricane Ike hit my hometown, my father's house was flooded and my old bedroom took severe water damage. Even books, which were stored high on bookshelves were damaged by water which leaked in through the walls and ceilings.
The only "thing" that I lost in the hurricane was an atlas from the 1970s. It was a historical relic of the same time that your globe came from and it was my only prized possession. It was probably worthless in terms of cost or value. But to me, it was the only thing that I had ever tried to preserve - keeping it "safe" in my childhood bedroom rather than dragging it across the country to law school with me.
Your globe isn't worthless to someone else. Depending on how much you care to find it a proper home, I assure you that home is out there.
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:00 AM on July 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
The only "thing" that I lost in the hurricane was an atlas from the 1970s. It was a historical relic of the same time that your globe came from and it was my only prized possession. It was probably worthless in terms of cost or value. But to me, it was the only thing that I had ever tried to preserve - keeping it "safe" in my childhood bedroom rather than dragging it across the country to law school with me.
Your globe isn't worthless to someone else. Depending on how much you care to find it a proper home, I assure you that home is out there.
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:00 AM on July 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Globes are really 'in' right now and going for around $25-30 at vintage stores. I'd list it on ebay, see if a vintage store would buy it off of you, or give it to someone to list on etsy if they have an account. Otherwise, I'd ask around to any of your friends if you just want to give it away; a lot of people are decorating with old globes.
posted by questionsandanchors at 9:01 AM on July 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by questionsandanchors at 9:01 AM on July 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
It's time to remind your father that the thing is yours, and you can do what you please with it. If you choose it throw it out, its no longer his right (if it ever was) to second-guess you.
posted by KRS at 9:02 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by KRS at 9:02 AM on July 8, 2010
You are. Whatever you might get for it almost certainly isn't worth the effort it would cost you. If you can find someone who wants it, give it away with a light heart.
posted by languagehat at 9:13 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by languagehat at 9:13 AM on July 8, 2010
Give your father the globe. You both get what you want. You're rid of it without a second thought, and if it has any value, your father can capture the value.
posted by Bruce H. at 9:19 AM on July 8, 2010 [11 favorites]
posted by Bruce H. at 9:19 AM on July 8, 2010 [11 favorites]
I don't think its worthless but I also don't think its worth all that much. If he wants to keep it let him keep it in his space. If you want to get rid of it I'll take it off your hands. I've been looking for an older globe that's not plasticy or $100.
posted by Bunglegirl at 11:00 AM on July 8, 2010
posted by Bunglegirl at 11:00 AM on July 8, 2010
Best answer: Yeah, right now they're showing up over and over on sites like Apartment Therapy. Here's a post from a couple days ago. I don't think you would get much money for it, but there's certainly interest among a certain set. Craigslist it.
posted by jocelmeow at 3:09 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by jocelmeow at 3:09 PM on July 8, 2010
It apparently has value to your Dad. Give it to him. If he doesn't want it, Craigslist or eBay might get you a couple of bucks and make someone else happy.
posted by desuetude at 8:22 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by desuetude at 8:22 PM on July 8, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, all. I've not yet made a decision here, but when I do it will be much more informed!
posted by .kobayashi. at 8:22 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by .kobayashi. at 8:22 PM on July 8, 2010
I used to have a light-up globe that I begged my parents for in about 1989. I'm not sure what happened to it - whether it's in the loft or 'handed on' to nephews - but I wish I'd kept it as an ornament. I used to love spinning it round and imagining what those places were like. If your dad doesn't want it, there'll be some kid somewhere who will.
posted by mippy at 1:59 AM on July 9, 2010
posted by mippy at 1:59 AM on July 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
A history teacher might want it if they're teaching about that time in history.
There's bound to be someone who would want it. Giving it away would be nice of you, but I bed you could find someone who'd be willing to give you a few bucks for it too.
posted by theichibun at 8:58 AM on July 8, 2010