The first European map of Singapore

A rare and important map of the Straits of Singapore, with exquisite calligraphy and superb detail, published in De Bry's 'Grand Voyages'. It shows the southern coast of Singapore, with the west coast marked 'unknown', suggesting that Europeans had not circumnavigated the island at this time. The map records a naval battle between the Dutch and Portuguese, probably in 1603, with alphabet letters to code the various ships involved. A Portuguese galleon, the Santa Catherine (possibly ship D and L on the map) was captured by the Dutch and its cargo sold in Amsterdam for a pricely 3.5 million guilders. Depicted are the Dutch ships, Zierickzee, Enkhuysen, Amsterdam and Hollandse Zaan.