East Indies, Cambodia, Thailand and California.-

Ortelius (Abraham) Indiae Orientalis Insularumque Adiacientium Typus, hand-coloured, engraved map from Ortelius’ ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’, central vertical fold, French text verso, browning in margins, sheet 405 x 550mm, Antwerp, c.1580.

*** The map is focused on the Spice Islands, a rich resource for trade and a European obsession. Near New Guinea, which is shown as a large promontory, is the note, "New Guinea, which seems to be called Piccinaculus land by Andreas Corsalis. Whether this is an island or part of the South Land is uncertain." The existence of the continent was presumed because it was thought to balance the lands of the northern hemisphere.