Album amicorum of Johann Philip Mulheiser
f. 7r: Johan Maurits, Count of Nassau-Siegen, Mauritsstad, 27 August 1640
Johann Philip Mulheiser's album was well filled. He stayed in Brazil from 1640 to 1644. In 1636 Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen (to whom we owe the Mauritshuis in The Hague) was appointed governor there. His appointment meant a period of prosperity for the Dutch colony. Of course, the governor himself could not be left out of the album. In the Mauritsstad, which he founded and named after him, he placed his signature and motto: 'Qua patet orbis' (as far as the world extends). This motto is still used by the Marine Corps today.
After his return to the Netherlands, Mulheiser continued to collect contributions. To this we owe inscriptions by celebrities such as Jacob Cats, Isaac Vossius and Casper Barlaeus – in addition to a remarkably large number of contributions by preachers.
Album amicorum of Johann Philip Mulheiser. Ca. 522 contributions, 1640-1677, Brazil, Netherlands. Request number: 129 F 6
