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This map of Asia features four different scales: French, Russian, Turkish and Chinese. Each country had their own measuring system, so this was not uncommon at the time.

This map of Asia features four different scales: French, Russian, Turkish and Chinese. Each country had their own measuring system, so this was not uncommon at the time.

On this late 18th century map, the modern nation states of mainland Southeast Asia can be seen emerging: Myanmar (here labelled Ava), Laos, Vietnam (Tong-King and Cochinchine), Cambodia (Camboge), Thailand (Siam) and Malaysia (Malaca).

A hand-written note on the bottom margin of this map reads ‘Dressé par Rizzi Zannoni, gravé par Lattré, 1762’, indicating that it was drawn by the Italian cartographer Giovanni Antonio Rizzi Zannoni, and engraved by the French engraver Jean Lattré.

A hand-written note on the bottom margin of this map reads ‘Dressé par Rizzi Zannoni, gravé par Lattré, 1762’, indicating that it was drawn by the Italian cartographer Giovanni Antonio Rizzi Zannoni, and engraved by the French engraver Jean Lattré.

Map of Asia based on observations of members of the French Academy of Sciences. Its decorative cartouche features a drawing of a censer (incense burner).

Map of Asia based on observations of members of the French Academy of Sciences. Its decorative cartouche features a drawing of a censer (incense burner).

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

A colourful 16th century map by André Thevet, with illustrations of ships and sea monsters around the seas of Southeast Asia. The map's scale is decorated with cartography tools such as rulers and a compass.