The rare second state of the most sought after chart of the East Indies, from one of the most important Dutch sea atlas of the C17th, with full original hand colouring.

A rare and important large scale sea chart of East Indies by van Keulen, showing the Dutch sea routes from Africa to the East Indies. With an elaborate title at top left featuring, various animals and it’s famous Tartar decapitation scene. The lower cartouche includes, the map makers name, publication date and two dolphins at the top. In this 2nd state the four figures which sat above the dolphins, as well as five galleons in the seas and an elephant to the right of top cartouche have been removed.

Australia is shown with the discoveries made by Abel Tasman on his two voyages of exploration in 1642-1644. The V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) had appointed Tasman on 1 August 1642 as commander of the Heemskerck and Zeehaen, with instructions to explore the unknown and previously undiscovered areas of the South Land, the south-east coast of New Guinea and surrounding islands.

Tasman’s two voyages resulted in the charting of the northern, north-western and southern limits of the continent, as well as the discovery of part of the west coast of New Zealand. The map also records the following earlier Dutch discoveries on the Australian coast: Hartog in the Eendracht 1616, Houtman in the Dordrecht and Amsterdam 1619, the van Leeuwin 1622, Carstensz in the Leijden 1623, Nuyts in the Gulden Zeepaert  1627 and de Wit in the Vianen 1628. 

From van Keulens, Groote nieuwe vermeerderde zee-atlas ofte water-werelt. 

Koeman, Vol. IV, Keu 1, p.387, Tooley Pg 205 map 38  

Collections: 

National Library of Australia:  Bib ID2663138 (1680 edition) (uncoloured)
State Library of New South Wales: CALL NUMBER: D Z/ Cb 68/ 12