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Taken from Benedetto Bordone's ‘Isolario [The Book of Islands]’, these pages contain two maps: one of Sumatra (‘Iaua Minore’), and one of a group of five unknown islands (Locaz is thought to possibly be Thailand).

This early map of Sumatra—referred to in the accompanying French text as ‘Isle de la Taprobane’—is covered with illustrations of people working on the land, and with elephants and camels. Villages, mountains, rivers and wild animals are also shown.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

This map shows some inaccuracies, especially in the shape of the Malay Peninsula and the islands meant to represent Sumatra (labelled ‘Camatra’), Java (‘Iava Mazor’) and Borneo (‘Iava Menor’). Latin text describes the Maluku Islands.

Maps can sometimes record a single event: this map depicts an October 1603 battle between the Dutch and Portuguese, as they fought for control of the trade routes through the Singapore Straits. The text panel recounts the story of the battle.

The Latin title of this map refers to an Admiral Wibrand of Warwick, who visited the island of Amboina (Ambon Island in the Maluku Islands) in March 1599.

This early 17th century map of the island of Bali shows palaces, settlements and possibly some temples. Ships can be seen at anchor around the coast. The map is from a Latin language book which includes text describing Bali.

An early map of Southeast Asia featuring a rhumbline network, a web of lines to help plot routes and aid navigation. Where the lines meet, there is a compass rose with an arrow pointing north. The map is decorated with illustrations of sea monsters.

As was common in this era, this map mistakenly shows the bottom of Peninsula Malaya as a separate island. The map also features illustrations of ships and a sea monster. Latin text on the reverse describes the people, crops, geography of the region.

The outline of the island of New Guinea is very vague on this early 17th century map of Southeast Asia. The cartouche is decorated with two figures of Asian warriors: one holds a spear, the other a sword. There are also drawings of mermaids.