FRAMED Asia, pars Australis Insulae.. Asia and Australia, c1710

by Scherer, Heinrich

Scherer antique map. South-east Asia and North Australia - with grand 24 point compass rose, strange marine life and amazing animals in Northern Australia. 

Asiae, pars Australis Insulae indicae cum suis Naturae dotibus elaborately portrays Indonesia, Philippines, South-east Asia and northern Australia in a wonderful rare copperplate-engraved map by Jesuit geographer and cartographer, Heinrich Scherer (1628-1704), published in Munich c1710 for Scherer's Atlas Novus exhibens orbem terraguem per naturae opera, historiae navae acveterus monumenta, artistique geographicae leges et praecepta.. (New Atlas exhibiting the lands and their nature, historic monuments, geography etcetera) - one of the earliest thematic atlases, with images of birds and animals throughout the world. Scherer's maps were published in Munich between 1702 and 1710.

Scherer's maps exhibit strongly defined engraving and unusual imagery - and are sometimes more collectable for their inaccuracies. This map has an allegorical cartouche (title piece) held by putti, a grand 24-point compass rose also held by putti, blowing winds, flying fish and strange marine life... and amazing animals in Northern Australia. 

Henrich Scherer was also Professor of Mathematics, Hebrew and Ethics at the University of Dillingen in Germany, and after his retirement from the university he was appointed royal tutor to the courts of Mantua and Bavaria.

This wonderful map is in good condition except for the usual slight soiling down the central vertical fold (that accommodated a publication half the size). To the map border measures 230 x 350mm (9 x 13.75 inches). The double page measures 275 x 370mm (10.75 x 14.5 inches). Mounted in 8ply antique white ragmat conservation board with decorative line wash, and enclosed by a wonderful cracked antique veneered frame with aged-gilt trim. (Three other Scherer maps have been framed similarly, and look stunning!... yet to be listed.