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. The places shown lighter are those where missions are located and that according to the cartouche 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 is engraved with a scene of Christ in a wheat field surrounded by six followers with sickles, with a plaques above and below quoting passages from Matthew and John regarding spreading the gospel: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field; Do not you say: There are yet four months, and then the harvest cometh? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and see the countries. For they are white already to harvest. An interesting map from a different perspective on colonization. A lovely example in original uncolored state.

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

Condition: B+

A dark impression on a sturdy sheet with full margins. A little toning on the centerfold. The blank margins have two insignificant smudges.