Acquired From: Leen Helmink
Colouring: Uncoloured
Condition: Excellent
Confirmed: No
Date Acquired: 2/7/2024
Dealers ID No.: 19501
Description: Henri Abraham Chatelain was a Huguenot pastor of Parisian origin. He lived in several cities throughout his life, including Paris, St. Martins, London (around 1710), The Hague (around 1721), and Amsterdam (around 1728). Between 1705 and 1720, in collaboration with his father Zacharie, his brother Zacharie Jr., and his brother-in-law François l'Honoré, he published the Atlas historique in seven volumes. This comprehensive work was later reissued by Zacharie Jr. between 1732 and 1739.nWhile the primary focus of the Atlas historique was geography, it also included substantial historical, political, and genealogical information, as reflected in the six title pages (View Record (#301), View Record (#355), View Record (#361)). The work was rich in details concerning civil, military, and ecclesiastical governance, including entries on the Gouvernement des Etats des Sept Provinces Unies (Government of the States of the Seven United Provinces) (View Record (#249)) and the Gouvernement de la Compagnie des Indes orientales (Government of the East India Company) (#250).nThe Atlas Historique also featured numerous maps, many engraved by Henri Chatelain, who often based his work on the maps of Guillaume Delisle, the renowned French cartographer. Two world maps (#247 and #248) appeared in Volume One, while this detailed map of Java was included in Volume Five of the 1719 edition.nChatelains large-scale map of Java offers an intricate and comprehensive depiction of the island, including adjacent areas of Sumatra and Bali. It is believed that Chatelain drew much of his cartographic information on Java from Hadrien Reland, a Dutch scholar and philologist who extensively studied the Indonesian Archipelago in the early eighteenth century.nThe map meticulously depicts rice plantations, mountain ranges, grazing lands, forests, and wildlife. The previously uncharted southern coastline of Java is mapped with surprising accuracy and detail. Offshore reefs and navigational hazards are also marked, emphasizing its practicality for maritime use. nThe map is further enriched by drapery-style cartouches at the top, containing extensive text written by Nicolas Gueudeville. These cartouches discuss the history of the lands depicted, while side panels provide detailed French descriptions of Javas cities, topography, history, flora, fauna, and inhabitants. In the lower-left quadrant, an inset provides a detailed view of Batavia (modern-day Jakarta), which was then the hub of the Dutch East India Company's (VOC) operations in the region.nAt the time of its publication in 1719, Chatelain's map of Java was the most advanced and detailed study of the island. Previously, the most authoritative rendering of Java was Van der Aa's 1714 map, which accurately depicted the northern coastline but labelled the southern coastline as Parte Incognita ("unknown part"). Although the Dutch had been active in the region since the seventeenth century and had likely created detailed manuscript charts of the island, such maps were closely guarded trade secrets under the control of the powerful VOC.nThe publication of 3530 map suggests he obtained information from sources outside the VOCs reach. Nine years later Johannes Van Keulen II, the VOC.s official cartographer, reproduced Chatelains map (View Record (#261)), implying that even the VOC did not have access to more accurate data at the time.
First published: Atlas historique, ou nouvelle introduction à l'histoire, Vol 5. Amsterdam: LHonore & Chatelain, 1705
Image Size (cm): 89×39
Mapmaker: Chatelain, Henri (1684-1743)
Notes: Purchase details
Price: 1000
Primary Category: Southeast Asia
Purchase Reference: Ledger
Rarity: R3 Uncommon – dealers can usually obtain a copy
Sheet size (cm): 93×45
Technique: Copper Engraving
This state: 1719
Website: Click here
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