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This mid-17th century map of Southeast Asia is from Isaac Commelin’s book describing the voyages of the Dutch East India Company ‘Begin ende voortgangh…’. There is an inset map of the island of Botton (Buton Island, southeast of Celebes (Sulawesi)).

From Robert Morden’s ‘Geography Rectified’, a description with maps of the known world in the late 17th century. The map shows the Moluccas, but the text describes the Philippines: Spanish colonial rule, trade, the city of Manila and port of Cavite.

The arrows on this map show the direction of the seasonal monsoons: each arrow has a label, indicating the month. The northeast coast of Borneo is labelled ‘A Desart [desert/deserted?] Coast’, while the south is labelled ‘Pepper Country’.

This map is dedicated to William Cowper, whose coat of arms sits atop the cartouche. It features two horses holding a crest with three red martlets (mythical birds used in heraldry). The colourful cartouche also features Asian traders.

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.

Map dedicated to William Cowper, whose coat of arms sits atop the cartouche. It features two horses holding a crest with three martlets (mythical birds used in heraldry). The cartouche also features Asian traders. Monsoons are marked on the map.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

The letters ‘E’ or ‘D’ are marked after place names to indicate if they are English or Dutch colonial possessions: e.g. ‘Marleborough Fort E’ on Sumatra or ‘Concordia Fort D’ on Timor. The Philippines are labelled ‘to Spain’.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: New Guinea is described as unknown to Europeans; Borneo was abandoned by Europeans due to the ‘unmanageability’ of the inhabitants; the Philippines were discovered by Spain in 1565.