MAP 43 

Sanson Hondius his Map of the Christian World DESIGNATION ORBIS CHRISTIANI 1609

Special Features:

• Famous small map of the Christian world
• English prayer for universal ______ of the world above the map title on the page with the map.                             [I left that  _____ blank; it’s old English type and …… I think the word is “conversion” but the context is the same PRAYER we all make today – better relations between all the peoples of the earth.]
• English text re the journeys of the Jews on the back. 

 A scarce English example of this interesting world map first issued in the Mercator-Hondius Atlas Minor, in 1607.

This is one of the earliest thematic maps, featuring symbols illustrating the Christian, Muslim, and "idolatrous" regions of the world.

The map is accompanied by a page and a half of text, in English, headed with a Prayer for more full conversion of the World. From the 1625-26 edition of Purchas His Pilgrims, one of the seminal early 17th-century English-language travel works.

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Guest Editor:

I, Harald Leuba, am listing this map on eBay with the permission of the eBay account holder, my wife of 56 years, Nancy Kingsbury, aka "Showjudge".  She is worried about how to find homes for our "stuff" when I die -- >  if I die before her.

We have enjoyed living with this map on the walls of our home, but as I age, (I am now 86), I feel that I ought to protect IT from becoming lost in some 2^nd hand store and, more importantly, I need to protect Nancy from having to cope with how to harvest its reasonable value in a time of personal stress.

                               [In other words: We are downsizing!]

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I bought this map from John Faupel, Antique Atlas, East Grinstead, UK some 20 years ago.   

It was his # 29 in catalog 110.

I have misplaced John's catalog.

However: (a) John titled the map: “Sanson Hondius his Map of the Christian World DESIGNATION ORBIS CHRISTIANI” .

There are at least TWO versions of this map.  

One, our version, [see Photo 1 through 5] is published lower on the page, below the prayer, with the map titled at its top:

               Hondius his Map of the Chrsitian World

And in the lower left hand corner of the map:

“DESIGNATIO ORBIS CHRISTIANI” 

The other version [See Photo #7 ] seems to have the SAME engraving for the map, but it is published at the top of its page, and titled: 

“DeLa’ Diverssite’ des Religions par tout le Monde”

Which seems to be more a commentary on the distribution of differences, than a plea for conformity of mutual respect.

In any case, this is a rare, but well known thematic map. 

Sanson Hondius his Map of the Christian World DESIGNATION ORBIS CHRISTIANI

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My comment:

Our map is not colored. 

The map lies flat.  

The map surface is lovely and bright and clean, No offsetting or darkening. 

Our map is NOT framed. It has been protected by being held in a plastic sleeve. You may note some flashes on our pictures reflecting off that plastic.  Rest assured, the map is clean and clear.

If you are interested enough in maps to be considering an "original", you know that the plates for antique maps were often reused/reprinted/recycled/revised and that there are many different (related) versions available today. You will also know that maps were not usually stand-alone images. They appeared in bibles, histories, and even atlases! 

Last month, Barry Ruderman came to our house to look at our maps with a view to his acquiring the whole collection.  He was warmly professional and lived up to his reputation for expertise.  He said that our maps had been well cared for and were in good condition.

He put an estimated market value on this map of $475.

--> if he were to offer it for sale in his business.

{Of course, since he has to make a profit in his business, he did not offer me that much!}

I am listing this map here at 10% below his estimate.

Take a look and Buy it Now, or make an offer.

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Our map is has not been framed; it has been kept in a protective plastic sleeve.  

Our map has not been “restored” or “repaired”; it is still in as issued condition! 

Please help us find a new home for this treasure.

Thank you for looking.

Harald & Nancy

P.S. Inflation? NO!   When I bought my first map, there was silver in our US coinage.  When I was in college, I could buy a gallon of gas for a silver quarter and mail a letter home for 4ç.  

I can STILL buy a gallon gas for the value of that silver quarter, but postage is now 60ç.  

Antique maps have doubled in price in the last ten years.  Are they a store of value?  

I think so, but whether they are or not, they can be a permanent source of pleasure.  

P.P.S We are using the proceeds of this sale, not to add “dollars” to our bank account, but to support local charities (to help neighbors who have lost income due to covid)!

               I hope you are pleased with your purchase and have warm feelings about helping others.