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This mid-18th century map of Asia has colour-coded regions, with mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands bordered in blue, and India in red.

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 colourful mid-18th century map of the Sunda Isles (‘Isles de la Sonde’) includes the Malay Peninsula in addition to Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Mountain ranges and jungles are shown pictorially, and the islands and coasts feature shoals and reefs.

From the second edition (1749) of ‘Atlas Portatif Universel et Militaire’ by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688–1766), this map features the Philippines (in blue) and Maluku Islands (in red).

A mid-18th century map of the Philippines archipelago, with an inset plan of the city of Manila and Pasig River. The cartouche features a drawing of an Asian and a Western man taking part in a cockfight, with a crocodile in the foreground.

This mid-18th century map features labels noting the local populations, including the Kemois of the mountains and deserts of Cochinchinae (Vietnam) and the Byayos of Borneo. The map’s cartouche is embellished with maritime and military paraphernalia.

This map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain. Sheet two of two.

This map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain. Sheet two of two.

This map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain. Sheet two of two.

This mid-18th century map features a label noting that the Byayos people inhabited the mountains of central Borneo. Another note at the northeast tip of Borneo states that the location and number of islands in the area is uncertain.

Three of the larger Sunda Islands—Sumatra, Java and Borneo—are shown on this mid-18th century map, along with a few of the smaller islands such as Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. Celebes (Sulawesi) and some of the other smaller islands are not included.