Flattened Globe

This artifact highlights an interesting part of the initiation process for becoming a part of the Flat Earth Society of Canada. Upon initiation, new members stomped a globe to demonstrate their support of flat earth thinking. This image is the flattened globe stomped by Bartholomew Seeker.

This is the globe that Bartholomew stomped when he was formally initiated into the Flat Earth Society in Fredericton before he left to go to Fogo Island in 1971. He had been involved with his flat earth friends for several years before the formation of the Society although none of them had thought to actually initiate themselves until the time when Bartholomew was leaving to become Guardian of the Corner on Fogo Island. It made sense that he would formalize this role with his ceremonial stomping on the eve of his departure. Based on political world changes we can date this globe to sometime between 1957 – 1960. It’s likely that he purchased it shortly after arriving in Fredericton as part of his teaching supplies, and undoubtedly he stomped it with delight upon his departure from Fredericton.