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Spread over four sheets, this topographical map was based on the explorations of the French civil servant Auguste Pavie. Lasting 16 years (1879–1895), his ‘Missions Pavie’ explored all of mainland Southeast Asia.

Marine chart of the Pacific Ocean, including Southeast Asia. Small islands, shoals and reefs are marked, and often named, around the seas and straits of the region.

This map of Asia is marked with the routes taken through Southeast Asia by the British Royal Navy captain James Cook, and the French explorer Lapérouse. The title also refers to two other explorers: Louis Antoine de Bougainville and William Dampier.

This map of Asia is marked with the routes taken through Southeast Asia by the British Royal Navy captain James Cook, and the French explorer Lapérouse. The title also refers to two other explorers: Louis Antoine de Bougainville and William Dampier.

This map of Asia features a decorative cartouche with drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—and a French coat of arms. Interestingly, the map is dated 1792, during the French Revolution.

Map of mainland Southeast Asia divided into kingdoms. Larger settlements are marked pictorially with a red building symbol. The desert of Cochinchine (Vietnam) is labelled as being inhabited by the ‘Kemoys Peuples Barbares [Kemoys Barbarian People]’.

Map of mainland Southeast Asia divided into kingdoms. Larger settlements are marked pictorially with a red building symbol. The desert of Cochinchine (Vietnam) is labelled as being inhabited by the ‘Kemoys Peuples Barbares [Kemoys Barbarian People]’.

A late 18th century map of Asia, with notes on the principal states, empires and kingdoms of Asia written in French on the right-hand side.

This map of Asia features four different scales: French, Russian, Turkish and Chinese. Each country had their own measuring system, so this was not uncommon at the time.

This map of Asia features four different scales: French, Russian, Turkish and Chinese. Each country had their own measuring system, so this was not uncommon at the time.

In the 18th century, European maps tended to use their own country’s meridian, so on this French map of Southeast Asia longitude is measured from the Paris Meridian. Eleven different scales are also shown.

This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of plants, a camel, a vase, and the heads of children blowing to represent wind. An inset shows tall buildings, possibly Asian temples.