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The shoals and reefs of maritime Southeast Asia are highlighted on this colourful mid-19th century map, with the treacherous waters around many islands and straits marked.

Map charting the three expeditions of the British Royal Navy captain James Cook, including HMS Endeavour’s journey via Batavia (Jakarta) in 1770, and HMS Resolution’s journey through the South China Sea (after Cook’s death) in 1779.

A late 18th century map of Asia published in London by John Bowles, with regions indicated by colour. Central Borneo is labelled ‘Part inhabited by the Biayos’, which is seen on many contemporary maps, often with the comment ‘a savage people’.

Hand-drawn coloured borders have been added to this map to distinguish various regions: mainland Southeast Asia and most of the islands of maritime Southeast Asia are bordered in green, with Borneo and the Philippines in red.

Created for Middleton’s ‘Complete System of Geography’, this map of Asia includes the ancient kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia, the Sunda Islands and Moluccas of maritime Southeast Asia, as well as the Philippines and New Guinea.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

Map of Asia featuring an early—and very vague—depiction of New Britain (‘Nieuw Brittanje’) which was named by the British explorer William Dampier when he visited in 1700. The ‘Straat van Dampier’ is also shown, dividing New Britain from New Guinea.

Map of the Indian Ocean dominated by a rhumbline network—a web of interconnected lines used to help plot routes—with a compass rose at the centre. At the top there are (incomplete) drawings of people with text in Dutch, French, English and Spanish.

This map shows the empires, kingdoms and states of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—elephant heads, and a French coat of arms. Nine scales are shown.

This map shows the empires, kingdoms and states of Southeast Asia. Its decorative cartouche features drawings of two women—one with a cornucopia and one with a censer (incense burner)—elephant heads, and a French coat of arms. Nine scales are shown.

Map dedicated to William Cowper, whose coat of arms sits atop the cartouche. It features two horses holding a crest with three martlets (mythical birds used in heraldry). The cartouche also features Asian traders. Monsoons are marked on the map.

The arrows on this map show the direction of the seasonal monsoons: each arrow has a label, indicating the month. The northeast coast of Borneo is labelled ‘A Desart [desert/deserted?] Coast’, while the south is labelled ‘Pepper Country’.