PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A VERY DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN
India Orientalis
Date of this map: 1630 (Henricus Hondius)

14” x 19” (35.4 cm x 48.7 cm)


CONDITION REPORT: Very good condition



By 1630, the island of Luzon would now be surveyed with names added to parts like Manila to further north, Cape Bojeador and Babuyan Channel. This indicates the Manila Galleons now taking this route north towards Japan catching the westerly winds to bring them to California. The shape of Luzon and islands south are still taking shape but fairly erroneous. Mindanao is covered by the INDIA ORIENTALIS cartouche on the lower right. Nearby Borneo, Cambodia, the western part of Siam all the way to Burma (Pegu) have a coastline dotted with named towns. Across the Bay of Bengal is a slender looking India again with much name citations, proof of the very active presence of European traders and colonizers. Ceylon’s Fort Galle built by the Portuguese in 1588 is cited. China looms large with Faquin (or Paquin, early name for Peking), Canton, and Macao or three notable names present. 16th and 17th century maps are replete with sea monsters and mermaids, a carryover from the early notions of perilous journeys and unexpected sightings as ships ventured close to the flat earth’s abyss. At other times, drawings of local sailing ships and galleons provided maritime references. One of the most beautifully engraved early Dutch maps of this region.