This is a dramatic depiction of the world presented on a polar projection. The map is shaded to indicate the spread of the Catholic religion throughout the world, with lighter regions depicting those visited by Jesuit missionaries. California is shown as an island, and above it is the Fretum Anian. The title is enclosed in a strapwork cartouche with a symbolic scene on the right showing the separation of the sheep from the goats, with the sheep turning into human souls and ascending to heaven and the goats descending to hell -- in the form of a fanged monster, per the parable in Matthew 25. A risen Christ is shown above the scene and to the left is Magellan's ship. Numerous sea monsters and exotic fish occupy the oceans. Henrich Scherer, a mathematics professor and Jesuit, produced this work to emphasize the extent of Catholic influence in the New World.

References: Shirley #628; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SHER-1a #20.

Condition: A

A dark impression on a clean, bright sheet.