Globes are complex objects. The globe surface is composed of printed paper pasted onto a sphere. The paper is hand-colored, sized, and varnished. Particular patterns of dirt and damage occur on the surface, owing to the shape of a globe and its usage. In addition, the uncommon juxtaposition of varnish and paper, combined with access to only one side of the object, presents certain problems for the conservator. These can be largely overcome by careful consideration of materials and methods used in conservation treatment, e.g., the use of gel poultices.