Ortelius' Important Map of Southeast Asia

"Indiae Orientalis, Insularumque Adiacientium Typus", Ortelius, Abraham

Ortelius' important map of Southeast Asia, based on Mercator's 1569 World map, shows how sketchy the available information was concerning the region. The East Indies are presented as a randomly scattered archipelago with Java and Borneo particularly misshapen. Taiwan is mapped for the first time as I. Fermosa in the 'tail' of kite-shaped Japan's Lequaio islands. The fictitious Chyamai lacus is the source of a network of major rivers in Southeast Asia. Beach pars, a presumed promontory of the great southern continent based on Marco Polo's account, protrudes into the bottom of the map. In the upper right corner, America makes an appearance with the three coastal cities of Quivira, Cicuie, and Tiguex. Near the shore lies a ship being menaced by a pair of sea monsters, while twin mermaids preen before each other near the Ladrone Islands. This is the third state with Latin text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #166; Suarez, pp 164-69.

Condition: C+

Watermarked with Ortelius' common coat of arms watermark. This map has been professionally backed in tissue to repair a number of tears extending 1" to 4" into each corner of the map. There are several small areas of loss in the bottom corners and two 1" wide areas of loss at top left, with the image skillfully replaced in facsimile.