Copper line engraving, period hand-painted in watercolour, 470x600 mm. Rare map from ‘L'Orbe Cattolico ossia Atlante Geografico Storico Ecclesiastico. Opera del Commendatore Girolamo Petri Officiale minutante della segreteria di Stato’. The map shows the dioceses of Syracuse and Catania in bright and varied colours, explaining the ecclesiastical divisions. The Atlas was published only for the use of cardinals and high prelates in a limited number of copies, and is therefore of great rarity. In perfect condition, trace of central editorial crease with very slight, almost imperceptible yellowing of the paper. Walter Goffiart, Historical Atlases, The first three Hundred Years 1570 - 1870 p. 427 - 8, (Chicago 2003)