Product Description
In quibus Moluccae Celeberrimae Sunt’. Original copper engraving. Date: c.1610. French text verso. Sheet size: 57.3cm x 47.1cm. Map size: 47.7cm x 34.6cm. A beautiful map of the East Indies and the Spice Islands, showcasing the extent of European knowledge of the region at the time. The influence of the Dutch East India Company is evident, which extended from the Philipinnes to Timor, Sumatra and New Guinea. The note ‘Huc Franciscus Dra. Appulit’ to the southern coast of Java acknowledges Francis Drake’s landing there during his circumnavigation of the globe from 1577-80. This is one of the few maps to record this. A naval battle is depicted in the top right-hand corner to illustrate how hotly-contested these waters were at the time. Sand-banks are also illustrated around the smaller islands along with a fine sea monster. Includes a mileage scale, a text box and a decorative cartouche. Age toning to the margins and evidence of old mount. Later but not modern hand-colouring. Very minor toning to the central fold-line. Old tabs to the upper margin verso and archive repair verso. Map very clean. Overall a near fine, bright, example of one of the most beautiful and striking maps of the East Indies. Scarce.