“The first separate map of any Southeast Asia island based on actual observation” (Suarez)
[Untitled map of Sumatra]
[Venice,
stamperia dei Giunta,
from 1556].
Woodcut map.
320 by 410mm. (12.5 by 16.25 inches).
17584
notes:
Gastaldi's map of the Sumatra, also named Taprobana on the map, oriented with south at the top. Published in the third volume of Ramusio's compendium of voyages, 'Delle Navigationi et Viaggi', from 1556. With printed page numbers corrected to "433" and "434" (from "430" and "434") appearing in the top left and top right-hand corners of the map, respectively.
The "first separate map of any Southeast Asia island based on actual observation" (Suarez). Based on reports of...
The "first separate map of any Southeast Asia island based on actual observation" (Suarez). Based on reports of...
bibliography:
Suarez, Early Mapping of Southeast Asia, page 157, fig. 77
provenance:
Rare final state – materially different
“The capabilities of this most important possession to the British interest are too numerous for the undersigned here to set forth” (Peel)
First issue of the first commercially available map to show Dutch discoveries along the northern coastline of Australia
The first map to focus on “Australia”
With the addition of the “Isles de Cooke”
Coronelli’s map of Asia identifying Australia with Marco Polo’s “Lochac”
“The least known to Europe of any of the Eastern Countries”
Flinders’s survey of central New South Wales
With the tracks of all the explorers
Naming “Australia”
Gastaldi’s seminal map of Southeast Asia
An early bird’s-eye view of Sydney
Following in Louis Freycinet’s “footsteps”
Southern entrance to the Sunda Strait 

![RAMUSIO, Giovanni Battista; and GASTALDI, Giacomo [Untitled map of Sumatra]](https://i0.wp.com/crouchrarebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/17584_1H.jpg?fit=3500%2C2714&ssl=1)
