This beautifully engraved and hand-colored map of Asia was produced by the Dutch cartographer Jonnaes de Ram in 1690. The map represents one of the finest examples of 17th-century Dutch cartography, showcasing the vast expanse of Asia as it was understood during the period.
The richly adorned cartouche, depicting merchants and exotic goods, underscores the era’s fascination with the wealth of the East.
De Wit Gazetteer
The lengthy gazetteer for Asia, by Frederick De Wit, has a title and explanation in multiple languages. The English version reads:
AN ALPHEBETICAL TABLE OF ASIA
This Table hath two divisions, in the one are the Cities; in the other, the lettres set upon the margent of this Table schewing in what square these Cities may be found. By example, if you wil find Batavia at the lettre B, you shall find it to be in the square L. h. so likewyes you may find all the others.
Rarity
OldMaps.com records four examples in the market over the last 30 years. We have had the map only once before, in 2009.
The National Library of Australia has the Tooley example.