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An early 17th century map by the Flemish/Dutch cartographer Jodocus Hondius showing Asia and part of Europe and Africa. The Latin text on New Guinea translates as ‘Whether it is an island or the southern part of the continent is not yet certain’.

This 17th century map of Asia is based on a map by the Dutch cartographer Frederik de Wit (c. 1629–1706). The text is in the original Latin, except for the title which has been changed to English. The original cartouche has also been retained.

This map focuses on maritime trade, with detailed coastal areas (and blank interiors), illustrations of sailing ships, a rhumbline network—a web of lines used to aid navigation—and an elaborate cartouche illustrated with traders and their wares.

Colourful hand-drawn portolan (nautical) navigation chart, featuring a rhumbline network (the web of interconnected lines), islands, shoals and reefs. With elaborately decorated scales and compass roses. Mounted on folding wood boards.

Colourful hand-drawn portolan (nautical) navigation chart, featuring a rhumbline network (the web of interconnected lines), islands, shoals and reefs. With an elaborately decorated cartouche, scale and compass roses. Vellum on folding wood boards.

A brightly-coloured hand-drawn map of the Gulf of Siam, made for a ship’s captain. The elaborate compass roses are the centre of a rhumbline network, a web of lines to aid navigation. Bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals and reefs are also marked.

Six drawings of bays, including the Bay of Tiku (‘Rade de Ticou’) on the west coast of Sumatra, showing Tiku between the mountains Pagaman and Priaman. Two other drawings are marked ‘Poulo Clauis’ and are possibly bays on the coast of Aceh, Sumatra.

This map of Asia is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, and features a drawing of his coat of arms. He had been in line to succeed to the English throne, but died at the age of 11 in 1700, the year before this map was produced.

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.

This two-sheet map of Asia features a decorative cartouche with drawings of two women holding censers (incense burners), two cherubs, and a French coat of arms. On the map, mountains and forests are represented pictorially.

This map shows the empires, kingdoms and states of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—elephant heads, and a French coat of arms. Nine scales are shown.

This map shows the empires, kingdoms and states of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—elephant heads, and a French coat of arms. Nine scales are shown.