Antique Maps of the Malabar Coast – Valentyn, Cochin, and London Magazine, 17th–18th Century
Description: This compilation of three antique maps and views offers a remarkable cross-section of how European cartographers and publishers represented the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of India between the late 17th and 18th centuries.
1. Nieuwe Kaart van Choromandel ende Malabar – François Valentyn, c.1726 The first map is a large and detailed Dutch engraving of southern India, extending from the Malabar Coast on the Arabian Sea to the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, including parts of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Compiled by François Valentyn, a historian of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the map displays kingdoms such as Golconda, Carnatic, Gingee, Madurai, and Tanjore, alongside ports vital to VOC trade. Mountain ranges, rivers, settlements, and coastal forts are finely engraved, testifying to Dutch geographic and colonial interests in the region.
2. De Stad Coetsjien (Cochin on the Malabar Coast), c.1726 The second engraving, also associated with Valentyn’s monumental *Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien*, is a detailed bird’s-eye view of the fortified city of Cochin (modern Kochi, Kerala). The city walls, streets, churches, and surrounding coconut groves are rendered with precision, along with the bustling harbor dotted with ships. Above the plan, a cross-section of the fortifications is shown, reflecting European military engineering influence in Indian port cities. This view emphasizes Cochin’s importance as a strategic base for spice trade and VOC dominance on the Malabar coast.
3. Chart of the Coast of Persia, Malabar, etc. – London Magazine, c.1750 The third map, engraved for the *London Magazine*, illustrates the wider Indian Ocean littoral from the Persian Gulf to the Maldives and Malabar coast. Based on French hydrographic charts, this English engraving was “regulated by Astronomical Observations” and intended for navigational use. It marks settlements and ports with symbols identifying Dutch, English, and Portuguese possessions. A decorative vignette in the lower left shows a fortress, cannons, and palm trees, underscoring the imperial and military rivalry that shaped the region.
Together, these three works chart the Malabar and Coromandel coasts at a critical period of European expansion, trade, and conflict. They complement one another by blending large-scale cartography, detailed urban representation, and wide-ranging maritime charts, making this a unique historical grouping for collectors of India maps or colonial cartography.
Condition report: All three prints are in good condition with strong impressions. Some age-related toning, light marginal foxing, and minor creases are visible but unobtrusive. Wide margins are preserved, and the paper remains stable with no major tears or repairs.
Framing tips: This trio would work beautifully as a wall display. Present them in matching black or dark wood frames with off-white or cream mounts to highlight the engraving detail. For dramatic effect, arrange them horizontally: the large Valentyn map on one side, the city view of Cochin in the center, and the London Magazine chart on the other, showcasing the full scope of cartographic representation.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.