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A map charting the effects of the 1883 Krakatoa volcanic eruption: a red circle where the eruption was heard; black lines showing the hourly spread of the resulting waves; and a list of ships on which ash fell, or that encountered pumice (with date).

A map documenting the effects of the Krakatoa volcanic eruption, detailing the destruction of part of the Krakatoa Island and damage to surrounding areas. Created by a ship’s captain who passed through the Sunda Strait five days after the eruption.

An Atlas produced by an expedition in central Sumatra, including: maps of topography, geology, a number of rivers in the region; drawings of mountains, graphs of lengths of roads; family trees of the royal families of Djambi (Jambi) and Palembang.

A series of four maps of the Indian Ocean—one for each quarter of the calendar year—showing the direction and intensity of the winds, including around the seas of Southeast Asia. There are extensive explanatory notes.

A map of Southeast Asia coloured to indicate the five different language families spoken in the region in the late 19th century. Names of indigenous tribes/languages are marked in red text, with European colonial possessions in grey.

A map of Southeast Asia coloured to indicate the five different language families spoken in the region in the late 19th century. Names of indigenous tribes/languages are marked in red text, with European colonial possessions in grey.

Hand-drawn map of the roadstead—a body of water sheltered from tides/currents, for ships to anchor—at Analaboe (Meulaboh) on the west coast of northern Sumatra. Bathymetry (sea depth), shoals and reefs, and an anchor point are marked.

Map of three regions on the northeast coast of Sumatra, with each region divided into parcels of land which are labelled with the name of a company. Presumably, these companies have been issued the contracts mentioned in the map’s title.

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.

Map of the Riouw (Riau) Residency, Sumatra. The border between Riau and the island’s west coast is marked in red ‘as far as it is known [voor zoo verre die... bekend is]’, ending abruptly in the unexplored mountains near Lake Toba, northern Sumatra.

On this hand-drawn and coloured map of Asia, the colours differentiate the colonial territories of the European powers: for example, New Guinea is divided into Dutch, British and German areas, and Borneo is split between the British and Dutch.

Designed to aid navigation around the western Java Sea, this map features bathymetry (sea depth), current and tide data, and is marked with shoals, reefs and other hazards. Written notes add details at specific locations (e.g. ‘heavy tide rips’).