Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 73

"Repraesentatio Americae Borealis cuius Provinciae Vera Fide Illuminatae Umbram non Habent, Reliquae Umbris Immersae sunt", Scherer, Heinrich

Subject: North America

Period: 1702 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Novus

Color: Black & White

Size:
14 x 9.5 inches
35.6 x 24.1 cm
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This is one of the most graphic and beautifully engraved maps in Scherer's series of North American maps. California is depicted as an island with a nearly flat northern coast and only two place names in the south. The map is engraved with various shading to show the areas converted to Christianity, those exposed to the gospel, and those still heathen. Lighter shades denote where missions are located and, according to the cartouche, the habitants have been illuminated in true faith. The map is richly decorated with cartouches held aloft by cherubs, a fabulous sea monster, and a large ship bearing Jesuit priests sailing in the Atlantic. The entire Pacific region contains a scene of Christ in a wheat field surrounded by six followers with sickles. Plaques above and below quote passages from Matthew and John regarding spreading the gospel. It is an interesting map illustrating a different perspective on colonization.

References: McLaughlin #162; Tooley (Amer) plt. #60.

Condition: A

Very nice impression. There is a little hinge remnant on the verso.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300

Sold for: $750

Closed on 5/7/2008

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