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This mid-19th century map of Asia has colour-coded borders that show the beginnings of the emergence of the modern nation states of Southeast Asia, such as Laos, Burmah (Burma), Siam (Thailand) and Malaya (Malaysia).

On this map of Southeast Asia, British colonial territory is highlighted within red borders: the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Malacca and Penang) on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula; and British Burma (Chittagong and Aracan, and Tenasserim).

Southeast Asia is featured on the last of the four sheets of this map of Asia. The South China Sea is particularly detailed, with islands, rocks, shoals and reefs named, sometimes dated, and even marked with the name of the ship that mapped them.

Map of Asia spread over nine sheets, for use in schools. Place names are not printed on the map itself, but are represented by initials and numbers (presumably, there is a legend that lists the names, but it is not present).

Map of Asia spread over nine sheets, for use in schools. Place names are not printed on the map itself, but are represented by initials and numbers (presumably, there is a legend that lists the names, but it is not present).

An early 19th century map, with the regions of Southeast Asia marked with different colours. Interestingly, Cambodia and modern Vietnam (labelled here as Cochinchina and Tonkin) are grouped with China.

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

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

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

From Antonio Zatta's atlas ‘Atlante Novissimo’, this late 18th century map of Asia features a decorative cartouche consisting of drawings of Asian plants, a ceramic pot emitting smoke, two archery quivers, and pearls in shells.

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

A label on the island of Borneo states ‘Beajous Afgodendienaars bewonende het middelste gedeelte van 't Eiland [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle part of the Island]’. Mountains are marked pictorially; settlements with a red building symbol.