This chart shows Koddiyar Bay on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, with the fort of Trincomalee. The chart is filled with soundings, rocks and shoals. A lettered key identifies 20 locations. Embellished with sailing 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 #52.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on a sheet with a fleur-de-lis watermark, some printer's ink residue in the key at right, and a few light stains and spots.