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Early map of Asia featuring a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China, and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia. Text describes the world divided into four or five regions.

A white banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

A red banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

Early map by Sebastian Münster, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. The Malay Peninsula—labelled ‘Aurea Chersonesus [Golden Chersonese]’—is recognisable. An illustration shows the local animals: a tiger, cockerels and a white parrot.

Early map by Lorenz Fries, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. The Malay Peninsula—labelled ‘Aurea Chersone [Golden Chersonese]’—is recognisable. A drawing on the reverse features cannibals with dog’s heads chopping up human bodies.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, this map by Martin Waldseemüller has Latin inscriptions. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Aurea Chersones [Golden Chersonese]’.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, Bernardo Silvani’s woodcut map is innovative in its use of two colours: a black background with important text added in red. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Aurea Chersonesus [Golden Chersonese]’.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, this colourful map has Latin inscriptions including ‘Aurea Regio [Kingdom of Gold]’ and ‘Regio Argenteo [Kingdom of Silver]’. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Curra Cherlon [Golden Chersonese]’.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, this map has Latin inscriptions, including mentions of a mythical race of cannibals (‘Anthropophagi’) and hippopotamuses. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Aurea Chersonesus [Golden Chersonese]’.