Acquired From: Leen Helmink
Colouring: Uncoloured
Condition: Excellent
Confirmed: No
Description: The pioneering Dutch expedition to the East Indies (1595-1597), led by Cornelis de Houtman, marked a significant moment in Dutch exploration. Upon the expedition's return to the Dutch Republic, efforts were promptly made to publish its findings. In April 1598, Cornelis Claesz. published Historie van Indien, the journal by Willem Lodewijcksz., a clerk on the voyage. Claesz. intended to include a detailed map of the Java Sea in the printed journal, but Amsterdam merchants who had outfitted the expedition prohibited this. Despite the restriction, Claesz. later published the suppressed map as a separate loose sheet that same year.nThe map spans from the Nicobar Islands in the northwest to Sumbawa in the southeast, covering the Strait of Malacca, Sumatra, the Sunda Strait, the northern coast of Java, and southern Borneo. The map shows the dangerous southern route to the Spice Islands via Java Sea. It vividly depicts the dangerous southern maritime route through the Java Sea to the Spice Islands, highlighting reefs, shoals, and hazardous waters.nIn the bottom left corner, the maps title appears in both Latin and Dutch, alongside the names of the publisher, Cornelis Claesz, and the engraver, Baptista van Doetecum. Below these are depictions of fish and birds leaping out of the water near four sailing ships, with the Latin caption explaining The appearance of fish and birds, as accountered [sic] in this Indian Ocean. Their peculiarities are described in detail in the Itinerarium under the island of Java. nThe initials G.M.A.L. stand for "Guilielmus M. A Lodewijcksz."nA small cartouche at the bottom right provides an explanation of the Malay word Pulo (island) and includes scale bars in Spanish and German miles. Another cartouche at the top left provides the definition of Puro, meaning "strait" or "city" in Malay.nIn the upper right corner, six finely detailed illustrationsreduced versions of those found in Lodewijcksz.'s journal are accompanied by Latin captions describing key scenes and figures from the region::n Satrapa Sumatrensis: A Sumatran chief in the village of Damphin at the Sunda Strait, attended by bodyguards. He is portrayed as highly respected and courteous.n Gubernator urbis Bantan: The governor of Bantam, named Cepate, depicted administering justice alongside the chief religious leader (Ceque) from Mecca.n Prcecipui Mercatores Chinenses: Prominent Chinese merchants travelling across Java to purchase pepper, depicted with their wives, concubines, and a weigh-pole.n Galeota and Cymbce piscatorice: Galleys from Bantam (Cachurs) and fishing boats (flying boats), with cargo ships sailing with the monsoon windsn Nobiles Insulae Bali: Noblemen of Bali transported by alternating servants, accompanied by guards armed with small lances.nAt the centre of the Java Sea, four Dutch ships Mauritius, Amsterdam, Hollandia, and Duifje represent the vessels of De Houtman's expeditionary fleet.nThis separately issued map is one of the earliest European printed depictions of the Java Sea region based on first-hand exploration. It is directly related to the suppressed map later re-engraved by Theodor de Bry for his India Orientalis (entry #104 and View Record (#68)).
Engraver: Doetecum, Baptista van (c. 15301610)
First published: Separate publication. Amsterdam: Cornelis Claesz., 1598
Image Size (cm): 38×54
Mapmaker: Lodewijcksz., Willem (15601627)
Notes: Purchase details
Primary Category: Southeast Asia
Rarity: R1 Extremely rare – occasionally seen on the market
References: Günter Schilder, Monumenta cartographica Neerlandica, vol. 7 (Alphen aan den Rijn: Canaletto, 2003), 26469, illust 11.57. nSee also Thomas Suárez, Early Mapping of Southeast Asia: The Epic Story of Seafarers, Adventurers, and Cartographers Who First Mapped the Regions Between China and India, 18081.
Technique: Copper Engraving
This state: 1598
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