The price is a fraction of what an original perfect one would cost. This poses a good question. Should you buy damaged globes? Especially rare ones. I think I would probably buy this globe if I wasn't broke. LOL Damaged globes, to some extent, should not be bought as an investment however, but bought because you just like them. I think this globe still displays well and sitting upon a shelf, the damage would be hardly noticiable, assuming UPS or whoever doesn't finish it off in transit.