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Winter Wonderland: This Man Owns A World-Record 11,000 Snow Globes

One man's love for tiny falling snowflakes has turned his home into a record-breaking winter wonderland, filled with thousands of magical snow globes of every shape, size and theme.

Inside The World's Biggest Snow Globe Collection

No matter what the weather is doing outside, it's always winter in Josef Kardinal's home.

That’s because Josef’s house is packed with an eye-watering, toe-tingling 11,000 snow globes, making it a true year-round winter wonderland.

Josef first set a Guinness World Records title in 2002 with 6,100 snow globes. Since then, his collection has nearly doubled, filling his home with swirling snow, festive scenes and miniature frozen worlds.

The collection began in 1984 with a single snow globe received as a gift.

Josef Kardinal began collecting in 1984 after he received a single snow globe as a gift. His collection ranges from tiny snow globes like a pin you can attach to your clothing to gigantic ones like a lamppost that stands taller than he does. (Guinness World Records) — Josef Kardinal began collecting in 1984 after he received a single snow globe as a gift. His collection ranges from tiny snow globes like a pin you can attach to your clothing to gigantic ones like a lamppost that stands taller than he does.
(Guinness World Records)

Friends kept the theme going, and soon Josef realized he could hunt them down himself.

While traveling the world with his wife, the pair searched for unique globes everywhere they went. Relaxation only came after finding the perfect snowy souvenir.

Today, Josef’s globes range from tiny pin-sized pieces to enormous ones taller than he is.

Some are festive and cozy, others wonderfully strange: a Harry Potter train, a sinking Titanic, a Star Wars-themed globe, even a snowman wearing a face mask labeled “Corona 2020.”

Many of Josef’s globes are rare, limited editions, including his oldest treasure: an Eiffel Tower globe made in Paris in 1889.

Asked why he loves snow globes so much, Josef summed it up simply: they capture a perfect, romantic, snowy world.

Josef Kardinal of Nuremberg, Germany, was certified as having the world's largest collection of snow globes. He has more than 11,000 (Guinness World Records) — Josef Kardinal of Nuremberg, Germany, was certified as having the world's largest collection of snow globes. He has more than 11,000
(Guinness World Records)

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