Paul Cook

Paper Conservator (globes)

I care for and conserve the Museum’s paper collections – principally manuscripts, ship plans and charts. I prepare items for display and loan out to exhibitions, but also work on our internationally important globe collection, investigating the globes’ construction and how this influences our treatment of them.

My favourite thing about paper conservation

In the course of my work I get close to real history, be it a ship plan of Bligh’s Bounty or Cook’s Endeavour, a letter written by Nelson, a ship's log telling of the capture of pirates or a sailor’s journal relating of travels around the world and illustrated by marvellous drawings and watercolours.

Even when there is no famous connection, any item that must be treated or prepared for display is always interesting and thrilling to work on, to clean, repair and make safe for others to handle or see.

The globe collection is a wonder to be associated with. The earliest globe in the collection is dated1537! I am interested in how they are made, in the small differences in construction, and in the innovations that craftsmen have made over the centuries. Having said that the celestial globe of 1537 is finely made.

Don’t miss...

Don't miss the magnificent terrestrial and celestial pair of globes c.1730 by John Senex in the Oceans of Discovery Gallery – and for contrast the desirable little pocket globe c.1795 by Dudley Adams in a showcase close by.