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Auction: 25360 - The 360th Anniversary Sale
Lot: 26

A SUPERB 17TH CENTURY COLOURED MAP OF BORNEO

A coloured map of Borneo (modern day Sabah), printed on laid paper, designed by Petrus Bertius (1566-1629) headed "descriptio borneo in svlæ", page numbered '746', The map names a number of settlements and areas on the island including "Tamanatos", "Tamenacerun", "Pachavaraon", "Malano", "R Burulo", "Tamiao Baiao" etc., Around the circumference of the island are shown smaller islands named "Nahira", "Pulo Tigao", "I de S Maria", "I de S Ladre", "I de S Michael".
178mm x 120mm.
A very early and delightful map. Small pin hole at foot otherwise of wonderfully fresh colour and charming appearance.

Petrus Bertius was a Flemish philosopher, theologian, historian and cartographer; or in other words, a true Renaissance man! In philosophy and theology he is remembered for his Hymenaeus Desertor which was later translated into Dutch. His first contribution to cartography was recorded in 1598; It was not until 1618 that he was appointed as cosmographer to the court of Louis XIII, King of France.

Between the 15th and 17th Century, the majority of the coastal areas of Borneo were under the rule of the Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei. The Dutch Empire would later attempt to settle on the Island, ultimately withdrawing, and in 1812 the Sultan ceded to the British East India Company. It remained a member of the British Empire into the 1960s. Its issues of Postage Stamps and Banknotes are popular collecting areas among Philatelists and Banknote collectors.

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Estimate
£3,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£1666