When the holiday season arrives, Josef Kardinal, a resident of Nuremberg, Germany, can’t help but go overboard. The Austrian‑born collector has taken his love of holiday décor to the extreme, amassing more than 11,000 snow globes – a number that earned him a spot in the Guinness World Records in 2002.
Kardinal’s first record was secured with 6,100 globes, and he has continued to add to his trove ever since. His current total stands at 11,017, making it the largest collection in the world.
He began the hobby in 1984, and his basement in Nuremberg now hosts the impressive display. The array ranges between charming and quirky. Among the most unusual are a Harley‑Davidson‑themed globe that sounds like a motorcycle when it shifts, and a Titanic replica that appears to be sinking.
“The snow globes encapsulate a perfect world,” Kardinal told the Guinness team. “People love them because they’re not realistic – they’re a little bit magical.”
Some of his oldest pieces date back to 1889 when a Paris‑made globe featuring the Eiffel Tower was created. At the other extreme is a miniature globe that fits on a fingernail and can be worn as a pin.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Kardinal expanded his collection with several novelty items, such as a globe containing a roll of toilet paper, and another featuring a snowman wearing a face mask.
“It’s almost impossible to have a complete collection without a nod to Taylor Swift,” he added. “I have one that holds a mini typewriter from her 2024 album “The Tortured Poets Department.” When shaken, pages with her lyrics swirl inside.”
The globes, ranging from the ordinary to the downright eccentric, have become a local curiosity and a testament to Kardinal’s passion. His basement is a winter wonderland that reflects the heartwarming holiday spirit he so loves to share.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
