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This 17th century map by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson shows Southeast Asia in the context of the rest of the Asian continent, and even includes parts of Africa and Europe. The decorative cartouche features winged cherubim.

Dotted lines and colours divide maritime Southeast Asia into three regions on this map: the Philippine archipelago, Maluku Islands and Sunda Islands. The cartouche features cherub mermaids, and a map of mainland Southeast Asia is on the reverse.

Dotted lines on this late 17th century map demarcate regions and kingdoms (which also have a crown symbol). The cartouche is shaped like a giant shell supported by mermen, with cherubs holding up shells and pearls on top.

Dotted lines and colours divide maritime Southeast Asia into three regions on this map: the Philippine archipelago, Maluku Islands and Sunda Islands. The cartouche features cherub mermaids carrying a banner and shield.

Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula feature on this map of the Indian Ocean. Enganno Island, west of southern Sumatra, has a label that translates as ‘inhabited by very pernicious savages’. An inset map depicts the Madura Strait between Java and Madura.

Four-sheet map of Asia from Carl Ritter’s book ‘Erdkunde [Geography]’, including the northwest Birman Empire (Myanmar) and featuring rivers, mountains, administrative districts and settlements. Plus a page of elevations of Asian mountain ranges.

Four-sheet map of Asia from Carl Ritter’s book ‘Erdkunde [Geography]’, including the northwest Birman Empire (Myanmar) and featuring rivers, mountains, administrative districts and settlements. Plus a page of elevations of Asian mountain ranges.

Brief notes printed on this 19th century map of Southeast Asia provide details about each region, including: numbers and ethnicity of the population, local or colonial rulers, crops and products, geography (corals, forests, volcanos, earthquakes).

The Dutch East Indies are bordered in red on this mid-19th century map. A maritime postal route from China to Europe, via Singapore and Penang, is shown. Another maritime route, from Batavia to Singapore, is also marked.

This detailed map of the Dutch East Indies in the mid-19th century contains a great deal of information: topographical details, settlements and administrative areas, roads, railways and maritime routes, telegraph lines, inset maps etc.

The routes of eight expeditions through Burma (Myanmar) and Siam (Thailand) are shown, with text noting ‘Ancient ruins with sarcophagi, mummies’, ‘bazaar… great variety of European goods’, ‘great thoroughfare for the Chinese trading with the Shans’.

This map shows the border between the British Empire (modern Bangladesh) and Burmah (Myanmar). Although the Burmah part of the map is mostly blank, there is a reference to ‘Shendoos’ (now known as the Lai people).