This bird's-eye plan depicts the port city of Kochi, on the Malabar coast. A small inset shows a profile view of the fortifications. Handsomely adorned with tiny ships and a compass rose orienting north to the bottom right. Valentyn was a prominent historian of the Dutch East India Company who is best known for Oud en Nieuw Oost Indien, his vast illustrated account of the Dutch trading empire in Asia. He twice traveled to the East Indies and served as Calvinist minister to Ambon between 1686 and 1694. In preparing this monumental work, he was given privileged access to the previously secret archives of the VOC, containing transcripts and copies of important earlier Dutch voyages.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.VALN-1a #58.

Condition: A

Excellent impression and color on watermarked paper. Issued folding with faint offsetting and a few light spots.