"Amboina", Valentyn, Francois

This large and striking view depicts the city and port of Ambon on the island of the same name in the Moluccas Islands or Spice Islands. Many structures appear on the shore, and several vessels fill the waters in the foreground. The Spice Islands were of tremendous importance for their production of nutmeg, cloves, fine woods, fruits, etc. They were long fought over by European powers, beginning with the Portuguese and notably back and forth between the British and Dutch. The Dutch were in control of the island at the time this view was made. A key running along the bottom identifies 17 sites of interest, including the fortress, a new hospital, and a church. Engraved by Frederick Ottens.

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Condition: A

A crisp impression issued folding on watermarked paper with a couple printer's creases at right. There is toning along the sheet's edges, well away from map image.