In 1554, a new map of Southeast Asia

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Excellent

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 4/4/2017

Description: In 1554, a new map of Southeast Asia was published. It featured in the second edition of Volume 1 of Giovanni Battista Ramusios Navigationi et viaggi, a collection of travel accounts ( #352). Commonly referred to as the "Ramusio map" it was part of a broader compilation by Ramusio, who served as a diplomat and Secretary of the Council of Ten, the governing body of the Venetian Republic. His compilation of voyages appeared in three volumes, the first published in 1550 (not with maps until 1554), followed by the second in 1559 and the third in 1557. The maps included in the 1554 edition were printed from woodblocks, but these were destroyed by a fire in 1557. Subsequent editions of Volume I featured new copperplate versions of the maps ( #29).nThis map is oriented with south at the top and depicts Southeast Asia from Sumatra in the west to the Philippines in the east. According to Thomas Suarez, Gastaldi who created the map, drew heavily on Antonio Pigafettas account of Ferdinand Magellans voyage for it's depiction of the Philippines, marking the first instance the archipelago being labelled as "Philippines" (Filipina) on a European map The map also shows the mythical "Lago de Chiamay" (Lake Chiang Mai) in the mainland interior, depicted as the source of four major rivers.

Engraver: Gastaldi, Giacomo (d. 1566)

First published: Ramusio, Giovanni Battista, Delle navigationi et viaggi. Vol. 1, 2nd ed Venice: Nelle stamperia de Giunti, 1554

Image Size (cm): 28×39

Mapmaker: Gastaldi, Giacomo (d. 1566)

Notes: Purchase details

Price: 9,000

Primary Category: Southeast Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022

Rarity: R1 Extremely rare – occasionally seen on the market

References: Thomas Suárez, Early Mapping of Southeast Asia: The Epic Story of Seafarers, Adventurers, and Cartographers Who First Mapped the Regions Between China and India, 130-157. See also Michael Pearson, Lake Chiamay: Asias Mythical Mother of Rivers, The Globe 83 (2018): 4362.

Sheet size (cm): 32×44

Technique: Woodcut

This state: 1554