By: Francois Valentijn 

Date: 1727 (Published) Amsterdam

Dimensions: 17.3 x 21.8 inches (44 cm x 55.4 cm)

Earliest map to focus on the island of Taiwan.

This is an authentic. antique map of the island of Formosa (present day Taiwan) and the Pescadores with a small portion of China. The map was created by Francois Valentijn and published by Joannes van Braam and Gerard Linden out of Amsterdam in 1727. This exceedingly rare map is the earliest printed map of Taiwan and the Pescadores. Oriented to the east with north pointing left. this map notes numerous depth soundings. rivers. bays. islands. and major ports. The interior is largely dominated by depictions of hills and forests. with obvious deltas and marsh lands covering the western half of the island. The map was based Johannes Vingboones's 1640 manuscript map of Formosa. Vingboons based his famous map upon information leaned during the brief Dutch occupation of Formosa between 1624 and 1662.

Throughout the mid-17th century. the Dutch VOC was in intense competition with the Portuguese over dominance of the China trade. Their hope was to establish a trading center on the western portion of Formosa. which would rival the Portuguese trading center on Macao. Two forts are noted within the Piscarodes. and it was believed that whoever controlled those islands would control Formosa. Much of Formosa however was inhabited by hostile indigenous tribes. which were eventually backed by the Chinese to drive out the Dutch VOC entirely by 1668. The Dutch were never able to secure a lasting trade agreement with China and this map remains the most significant. lasting piece of history regarding the Dutch VOC in Formosa.

Condition: This map is in B+ condition with a narrow right margin and a small tear that enters just beyond the border of the map. The paper is bright and clean. and the impression is dark.

Inventory # 19395

1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago. IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622