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Two pages from ‘Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia’ by Johannes Pontanus, featuring a drawing of the Dutch merchant seaman Cornelis de Houtman’s ships anchored in the Bay of Bantam (Banten, Java) during the first Dutch expedition to the region.

Two drawings and text from ‘Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia’ by Johannes Pontanus: the port and town of Gamme Lamme on the island of Ternate, with local and European vessels; and a naval battle between Dutch and Portuguese ships.

Although quite detailed for an early 17th century map of Asia, there are some inaccuracies in the representation of the islands of Southeast Asia, particularly Java (labelled 'Iaua maior'), Borneo (Burne), Sulawesi (Celebes) and the Maluku Islands.

An early 17th century map by the Flemish/Dutch cartographer Jodocus Hondius showing Asia and part of Europe and Africa. The Latin text on New Guinea translates as ‘Whether it is an island or the southern part of the continent is not yet certain’.

An early 17th century map by the Flemish/Dutch cartographer Jodocus Hondius showing Asia and part of Europe and Africa. The Latin text on New Guinea translates as ‘Whether it is an island or the southern part of the continent is not yet certain’.

Although quite detailed for an early 17th century map of Asia, there are some inaccuracies in the representation of the islands of Southeast Asia, particularly Java (labelled 'Iaua maior'), Borneo (Burne), Sulawesi (Celebes) and the Maluku Islands.

This early 17th century map features a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China. One of these lakes feeds three rivers—labelled ‘Menam’, ‘Manthabam’ and ‘Cosmin’—which flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

On the right of this map, Latin text held within an elaborate border notes that five of the Maluku Islands are located nearby—Ternate, Tidore, Moti, Makian and Bacan—which trade spices including clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the world.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

The line of settlements along the north coast of Java—contrasting with the almost empty interior—show that this map’s focus is on the sea. The islands, shoals and reefs that are marked reinforce this idea.

This early 17th century map features Gilolo (Halmahera) and Seram, as well as Celebes (Sulawesi). French text on the reverse describes the ‘Isles Molucques’ (Maluku Islands), including trade in nutmeg, mace, aloe, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and cloves.

Early 17th century map of Asia, with annotations in Latin naming the major countries, islands and cities. Maritime Southeast Asia is shown as an archipelago of many small islands. Latin text on the reverse describes the region.