This gorgeous bird's-eye view shows the Cambodian city of Longvek (Lavek). In 1553, Longvek was chosen as the capital of Cambodia, but by the end of the 16th century the city had fallen to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. As presented here, it appears to be an idyllic city of neatly arranged Khmer houses on stilts, surrounded by palm trees and the Tonle Sap River. Valentyn was an prominent historian of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) who is best known for Oud en Nieuw Oost Indien, which was published by Joannes van Braam and Gerard onder de Linden. 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 #25.

Condition: B+

A nice impression issued folding on a sheet with "VI" and fleur-de-lis watermarks. There is light foxing.