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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.

Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

Map of the Batavia (Jakarta) Bay roadstead, a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are written notes, all to aid navigation.

Map of the Batavia (Jakarta) Bay roadstead, a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are written notes, all to aid navigation.

This map of the Sunda Islands features three different locations for the city of Palembang. ‘Palambam’ is in the correct location on Sumatra, while ‘Palimbam’ is in west Java, and ‘Palambang’ is in east Java, a confusion often seen at this time.

A map of Southeast Asia by the London-based cartographer Herman Moll (1654?–1732) with hand-coloured regional borders. The north coast of Borneo is labelled ‘A Desart [desert] Coast’, while the south is labelled ‘Pepper Country’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

Map dedicated to William Cowper, whose coat of arms sits atop the cartouche. It features two horses holding a crest with three martlets (mythical birds used in heraldry). The cartouche also features Asian traders. Monsoons are marked on the map.

This map showcases the colonial territories of Southeast Asia in the 18th century, with text detailing trading information and the products of each region. There are five inset maps featuring plans of specific trading ports.