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This map of the Dutch East Indies is spread over eight sheets, with a hand-drawn cover sheet showing the whole area. There are numerous inset maps of islands, bays, cities etc. Two of the inset maps have a replacement map pasted over them.

Map of the Dutch East Indies featuring maritime routes from the Sunda Strait and Batavia (Jakarta) to the Maluku or Spice Islands (Ambon, Ternate etc.). There is an eastern route (taken from October to March) and a return route (December to March).

Map of the Dutch East Indies featuring maritime routes from the Sunda Strait and Batavia (Jakarta) to the Maluku or Spice Islands (Ambon, Ternate etc.). There is an eastern route (taken from October to March) and a return route (December to March).

This 1550 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. There are many inaccuracies, especially in scale and the locations of mountain ranges, but the region is recognisable.