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This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show territorial regions in Asia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Borneo is labelled ‘Kalemantan’, and Malaya is labelled ‘Tanah Malayu (Malai)’.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show the colonial possessions of the European powers—Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France, Britain and Denmark—at the end of the 17th century.

This map of Asia, from an atlas by the German cartographer Karl von Spruner, is colour-coded to show the possessions of the Indian Maratha Empire, and of the European colonial powers at the end of the 18th century.

Map of Asia, with mainland Southeast Asia in red and divided into ancient kingdoms, Sunda Islands in yellow, and the Philippines in grey. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

On this map of Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: e.g. at this time, Benkulen (Bencoolen) on the west coast of Sumatra is British, and Malacca is Dutch.

Map of Asia, with mainland Southeast Asia in red and divided into ancient kingdoms, Sunda Islands in yellow, and the Philippines in grey. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

On this map of Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers: e.g. at this time, Benkulen (Bencoolen) on the west coast of Sumatra is British, and Malacca is Dutch.

A plan of the port of Batavia with a detailed legend identifying parts of the city. The sword and laurel wreath of the city’s coat of arms, and the Dutch East India Company flag (marked ‘VOC’ or ‘Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie’) are also shown.

The title of this mid-18th century map of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula claims that it was based on the diaries of sailors. Interestingly, the title is repeated in both German and French, as are the names of some of the locations marked on the map.

Amongst the mountains and jungles of mid-18th century Bali, this map shows three royal palaces, walled encampments, towns, and seven Buddhist temples (or ‘stupa’) on the east coast. Inset illustrations depict a palace and a temple in detail.

The legend and written notes on this plan of Batavia (Jakarta) provide much detailed information about the important port city in the early 18th century. It is also beautifully decorated with paintings of the city, local people, animals and ships.

A navigation map of part of the north coast of Java, featuring the ports of Batavia (Jakarta) and Bantam (Serang). Includes colourful paintings of a ‘menschen fressers [cannibal]’ island, Javanese people and palm trees (dates, banana, coconut).