[Group of Seven Sunday School Maps]

A custom collection of late 19th century Sunday School maps.

This interesting collection of Biblical wall maps was published in St. Louis around 1895 by the firm of A.H. Eilers & Co. Though the company was originally established as a bookseller and stationer, it soon transitioned to the production of material related to Sunday School education in the United States.

Eilers produced a number of religiously themed wall maps in a variety of formats, and potential customers could order a custom production with one or more maps included. This particular example includes seven sheets; five from the Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps, and two others, hanging on the original green wooden roller. Further descriptions and size of each map are available below, in the order of their appearance.

Historical Chart of the Life of Christ – Sheet measures 28.25″ x 17.25″ and presents a historical chart of Jesus’ life between 2 and 89 AD. Major events are covered in various regions, represented by color, with an accompanying timeline provided along the bottom.

The Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps No. 3 Roman Empire – Sheet measures 27.75″ x 17.25″ and covers the eastern Mediterranean from the southern half of Italy to the Near East. The four travels of Paul are outlined in the accompanying legend, and the Seven Churches of Asia (also known as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse due to their inclusion in the book of Revelations) are noted with a star.

The Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps No. 4 Bible Lands of the Old Testament – Sheet measures approximately 28″ x 17.25″ and shows the Middle East between the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, and Persian Gulf. Various regions are outlined and labeled according to their ancient Biblical names, though Greek and modern toponyms are also provided. Conjectural locations are noted with a star.

The Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps No. 1 Palestine! – Sheet measures 18.4″ x 27″ and covers ancient Palestine at the time of Christ. Includes an inset plan of ancient Jerusalem and a table of heights corresponding to sixteen mountains and prominent locations within the image. Additional information and a table of distances and directions from Jerusalem are provided along the bottom of the sheet.

The Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps No. 2 Palestine Old Testament History – Sheet measures 17.75 x 25″ and presents ancient Palestine at the time of the Old Testament. Several variations of cities related to the Scripture are identified within the legend, and geographic data about seas, rivers, and mountains are provided immediately below. Stars represent “probable” locations and concentric circles radiate from Jerusalem in 12-mile increments.

The Peerless Series of Sunday School Maps. Map No. 5 The Exodus – Sheet measures 17.75″ x 27.25″ and highlights the course of the Israelites as they escaped from Egypt into the Promised Land. Stations are numbered along the route and listed in the accompanying legend in the lower right. Two inset maps are also present; A Plan of the Camp of the Israelites and a topographical map of the vicinity of Mt. Sinai.

Ancient Jerusalem – Sheet measures 17.75″ x 25.75″ and presents a city plan of ancient Jerusalem. Various districts are identified using different colors and basic topographic detail is provided in hachure. Prominent buildings, geographic features, towers, and gates are individually labeled. Notes the lines of the Roman siege from 70 AD, which resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple.