South East Asia – Johannes Janssonius, 1630

€1.850

rare antique 17th century map East Indies South East Asia Spice Islands
South East Asia - Johannes Janssonius, 1630 - Image 2
rare antique 17th century map East Indies South East Asia Spice Islands

A LANDMARK EARLY MAP OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, THE PHILIPPINES, AND AUSTRALIA

“Indiae Orientalis Nova Descriptio.“ Copper engraving published by Johannes Janssonius (in English also known as Jan Jansson) in 1630. With original hand colouring. Size (plate mark): 39 x 50,7 cm.

This edition of Johannes Janssonius’ map—first appearing in his “Appendix” in 1630—is celebrated for its excellent regional detail and its historical significance. It is notably the only Dutch printed map to record the 1606 discoveries of captain Willem Janszoon aboard the Duyfken, an expedition that led to the first recorded European landing on Australian soil, specifically on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula.

In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was eager to expand its trade monopoly in the East Indies. In 1605, at the initiative of the VOC, Jan Willemsz Verschoor organized an expedition “to discover the great land of New Guinea and other eastern and southern lands.” Willem Janszoon (1570-1636) was selected for this pioneering expedition, setting sail from Bantam (Indonesia) in late 1605. According to John Saris, an agent for the British East India Company, the Duyfken departed on November 28, 1605.

In early 1606, after navigating New Guinea’s south coast, Jansz sailed south across Torres Strait—mistaking it for a shallow bay—and continued along what he presumed was the continuation of New Guinea’s coastline. In truth, he was venturing into the waters off the Australian coast. Unbeknownst to him, this voyage marked the first recorded European encounter with Australian soil.

In addition, the map also presents the Philippines in detail for the first time. Janssonius drew upon the work of VOC cartographer Hessel Gerritsz, utilizing information that the VOC had strictly controlled in the early 17th century for competitive reasons.

Janssonius’ map is significant not only for its depiction of the discoveries in New Guinea, referred to as “Duyfkens Eylant,” but also as the sole printed cartographic record of part of the Duyfken’s route until later maps emerged. While the map uses a scale of miles to cover the area of the Australian discoveries—thus offering less detail on Jansz’s Australian findings—it remains an invaluable document in the history of European exploration in the region.

Price: Euro 1.850,- (incl. frame)