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Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

Colourful map of the East Indies focusing on maritime navigation: there is a compass rose at the centre of a rhumbline network (a web of lines to help plot routes). Shoals, reefs and islands are also marked.

This map of Asia is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, and features a drawing of his coat of arms. He had been in line to succeed to the English throne, but died at the age of 11 in 1700, the year before this map was produced.

From Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi’s ‘Mercurio Geografico’, this 17th century map of Asia represents mountains, jungles and cities pictorially, with hand-coloured regional borders. The map’s cartouche is decorated with clothing and weaponry.

Produced by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667) in the mid-17th century, this map of Asia features hand-coloured regional borders. Its cartouche features decorative scrollwork, fabric and tassels.

A mid-17th century map of Asia, showing mainland Southeast Asia divided into regions such as Cochinchine, Chiampa and Tunquin (Vietnam), Sian (Thailand), Pegu, Martaban and Arracan (Myanmar), and Camboge (Cambodia).

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.