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Spread over four sheets, this topographical map was based on the explorations of the French civil servant Auguste Pavie. Lasting 16 years (1879–1895), his ‘Missions Pavie’ explored all of mainland Southeast Asia.

A nautical chart of the Indian Ocean showing bathymetry (sea depth), including in great detail around the seas and straits of Southeast Asia.

The borders on this mid-19th century map of mainland Southeast Asia are colour-coded to show kingdoms, countries and colonial territories. Twelve different scales are shown, as different countries used different measurement systems.

A mid-19th century German map of mainland Southeast Asia showing a mixture of ancient kingdoms (e.g. Cochin-China), administrative districts (Malay States) and colonial possessions (Straits Settlements). Extensive mountainous areas are also featured.

Marine chart of the Pacific Ocean, including Southeast Asia. Small islands, shoals and reefs are marked, and often named, around the seas and straits of the region.

From ‘Lizars' Edinburgh Geographical General Atlas’, this mid-19th century map was based on an earlier map by the English cartographer John Cary. It highlights the mountain ranges and rivers of Southeast Asia, and also features many place names.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

This mid-19th century map of mainland Southeast Asia is divided into regions with colour-coded borders. The Birman Empire/Birmah (Myanmar) is the most detailed, with 10 provinces marked and listed in the map’s legend.

On this map of Asia, colours are used to show the colonial territories of the European powers: cities in the Philippines are underlined in blue, indicating they are Spanish; the Dutch East Indies are in yellow (Dutch); and Singapore is red (British).

On this map of Asia, colours are used to show the colonial territories of the European powers: cities in the Philippines are underlined in blue, indicating they are Spanish; the Dutch East Indies are in yellow (Dutch); and Singapore is red (British).

On this map of India and Southeast Asia, borders are outlined and cities underlined in different colours to show the colonial territories of the European powers. On Borneo, the names of indigenous peoples are listed (‘Dayak’s, Papua’s, Bugi’s’).