Catalog Archive
Auction 148, Lot 679

"Malacca", Hondius/Bertius

Subject: Southeast Asia

Period: 1618 (published)

Publication: Tabularum Geographicarum Contractarum…

Color: Hand Color

Size:
5.3 x 3.7 inches
13.5 x 9.4 cm
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This handsome miniature map presents the southeast Asian mainland, based on elements from various geographic models of the time, including Plancius. The Malay Peninsula is quite malformed with a huge bay filled with tiny islands, a misinterpretation of the Mergui Archipelago, located off the western coast of Burma. Sian (Siam) is in the form of a large island at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River (Menam fluvius). Langoma (Chiang Mai) is depicted along the MeKong River, which is depicted flowing to the northwest. A strait bisects the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, resulting from a misunderstanding of reports of a trans-peninsular river. French text on verso.

References: Suarez #108; King (2nd ed.) pp. 96-99; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #8495:342.

Condition: A

A fine impression on watermarked paper with minor show-through of text on verso.

Estimate: $200 - $240

Sold for: $120

Closed on 2/19/2014

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