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Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

Map focusing on the passages between the islands of maritime Southeast Asia. Many 18th century routes are labelled with the ship/captain’s name and date, and there are notes on some shoals and reefs recording names, details and incidents/shipwrecks.

Chart of maritime Southeast Asia, showing bathymetry (sea depth), islands, shoals, reefs, landmarks, and notes (‘Rock seen at Low Water’), all to aid navigation. A rhumbline network has been drawn on the map in pencil. Only one sheet is present.

This late 18th century map features a number of labels describing the local populations, including the Kemoys ('Savage People') of the mountains of Cokin China (Vietnam), the Biayos of Borneo, and the 'Wild People' of the mountains of Pegu (Myanmar).

A late 18th century map of Asia with regions divided by colour-coded borders, and detailing rivers, mountains, reefs and shoals.

Nautical charts like this are detailed around the coasts and on the seas (e.g. river mouths, islands, shoals and reefs) while the interiors are blank. The web of lines is a rhumbline network, while the numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry).

Maritime routes had to be adjusted in response to the changing monsoon seasons, as is seen on this late 18th century map of the Indian Ocean. Drawings of the heads of children blowing—called ‘wind-heads’—are used to indicate wind direction.

A map of the China Sea between Malaya, Sumatra and Borneo. The numbers indicate sea depth (bathymetry), and there are drawings of the side views of some of the islands (elevations), both used to aid navigation. Some maritime routes are also marked.

Although the title is in English, all the other text on this map of Southeast Asia is in French (and versions with French titles were also produced). Hand-coloured regional borders, rivers and settlements are featured.

A late 18th century maritime map of Southeast Asia, marked with expedition routes including the return of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour from Australia in 1770, and Captain Philip Carteret’s circumnavigation expedition in 1768.

Labels on this late 18th century map of Southeast Asia describe two indigenous populations—the ‘Kemoy’ of the mountains along the border of Cochin China (Vietnam) and Camboja (Cambodia), and the ‘Biayos’ of central Borneo—as ‘a wild Nation’.

Two maps. One features most of the world, but with Borneo, Philippines and most of mainland Southeast Asia missing, though there is an inset map of Penang. The other is a navigation map of the strait at Penang, with bathymetry and elevations.