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Two maps of the Dutch East Indies, decorated with drawings of local people and animals. Dutch colonial territory and local sultanates and provinces are highlighted. The heights of Java’s mountains and settlements are displayed in an elevation view.

From August Petermann's ‘Geographische Mittheilungen’, this map of New Guinea and neighbouring islands is marked with a maritime route from the western tip of New Guinea that is labelled ‘from Batavia to Hong Kong in 35 days’ and dated 1846.

This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There are also inset maps highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore, and the sea depth around Labuan Island.

Coloured borders are used to highlight the colonial territories of the British (red), Dutch (orange), Spanish (red) and Portuguese (blue) on this mid-19th century map of Southeast Asia. An inset map shows the island and strait of Singapore.

The colonial possessions of Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Denmark are shown on this mid-19th century map of Southeast Asia. There are inset maps of Penang Island and Singapore, and text describing the region’s colonial history.

This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There is also an inset map highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore.

This late 19th century map of Southeast Asia shows the best maritime routes around the region, according to the time of year. There is also an inset map highlighting the rivers and southern islands of Singapore.

On this map of Sumatra, the west coast mountain ranges contrast with the rivers to the east. An inset map of Singapore focuses on jungles along the coasts, and features bathymetry (sea depth) around the south coast and along the Singapore Strait.

The 20 colourful illustrations around the border of this 18th century map of Asia depict a variety of historical and biblical scenes, including the Crucifixion of Jesus and the sacking of Troy. Each scene has a description in French and Spanish.

This 18th century map of Southeast Asia by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy features the national borders of the Philippines in green, and of modern Indonesia in yellow. The Malay Peninsula and modern Cambodia and Vietnam are in red.

This map features maritime routes: between Siam and Batavia; and five routes of the explorers Juan Gaetan and Olivier du Nord (dated 1542) east of the Philippines. The cartouche has a colourful illustration of Asian people in traditional costume.

A map of a small island chain off the west coast of the island of Gilolo (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia). The military forts and ships were used by the European colonial powers during conflicts over the area’s spice trade.