"Societas Iesu per Universum Mundum Diffusa Praedicat Christi Evangelium", Scherer, Heinrich

Subject: World, Polar
Period: 1703 (circa)
Publication: Atlas Novus
Color: Hand Color
Size: 9.2 x 13.8

An exquisite depiction of the world from the Jesuit mathematician's series of sharply engraved maps. The map is presented on a north polar projection and shows California as an island. Large shining, star-like symbols of the Jesuits mark the locations of Jesuit missions throughout the world. Each corner is richly engraved with allegorical scenes of four Jesuit saints: St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order; Father Joseph Anchieta, Apostle of Brazil; Andreas Oviedus, Patriarch of Ethiopia; and St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of India. There are many cherubs supporting a number of Latin plaques such as the one under St. Francis Xavier quoting Matthew 28, " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The map is further adorned with ships and sea monsters.See also lot 702 for Rodney Shirley's excellent reference work, The Mapping of the World, that discusses this map.

References: Shirley #629; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SHER-1a #33.
Condition: A
A dark impression on a clean, bright sheet with a hint of offsetting.