Carte de l'Isle de Sumatra (Map of the Island of Sumatra) - Bellin c.1750

Carte de l'Isle de Sumatra (Map of the Island of Sumatra) - Bellin c.1750Title: Carte de l'Isle de Sumatra (Map of the Island of Sumatra) Cartographer: Jacques Nicolas Bellin (17031772) Published: From Histoire Gnrale des Voyages, c. 1750 Technique: Copperplate engraving with fine hand coloring Description: An intricate and historically significant 18th century map of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula (Presqu'Isle de Malaca), and the surrounding islands. As the official hydrographer to the French Navy, Bellin utilized logs from

the map intentionally presents the "Ancient World" as it was understood before the Age of Discovery—specifically up until the year 1490

provides a detailed survey of Java and the strategic islands of the Java Sea

This spectacular map represents the culmination of Gerard Mercator's lifelong ambition: to produce a definitive

Sinca Pora (Singapore): Marked clearly along the southern coast

a collection designed to bring the wonders of the world to the libraries of the European elite

and beautiful" orchids being cultivated in British hothouses during the height of "Orchidalia"—the 19th-century craze for rare orchid species

Ortelius includes the "Errors of Ulysses

Description: This fine 18th-century plan is one of the most famous and detailed early depictions of the Portuguese enclave of Macau

Terra Australis Incognita: At the bottom of the map

catering to the two major European maritime powers of the era

continuous landmass labeled Terra Australis Incognita

and Siberia is meticulously detailed based on Russian surveys from the early 1730s