A magnificent wall map of Malaysia published in two folding sections (north and south). The Malay Peninsula is mapped in exceptional detail where surveys had been conducted, though there are still many blank areas which remained relatively unknown to British mapmakers. There is a large inset city plan of Singapore in the upper-right corner.



This is rightly considered one of the most important and foundational maps of Malaysia. First issued in 1879, this map was revised in 1887, 1891, 1898, and 1911 to reflect the changing political situation and the results of new surveying expeditions. The first edition of this map was compiled and drawn by the Dutch surveyor John van Cuylenburg for the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Based in Singapore, the RAS funded and organized critical surveying expeditions across the Malay Peninsula. Van Cuylenberg's draft map was sent back to London for publication by Edward Stanford's Geographical Establishment. Earlier editions of this map credit John van Cuylenberg in the lower-left corner, though on this final edition that imprint has been removed.



Compared to the earlier editions of this map, our example focuses much more on the polictical situation than on the physical geography. British territories (Singapore, Malacca, Dinding, and Penang) are marked in red, the Federated Malay States are in green, and British protectorates are in yellow. The peninsula's railway network is also much more complete compared to the 19th century editions.



All five editions of this map are rare and they were likely only printed in small numbers for a limited audience. These large, folding maps by Stanford's represented the pinnacle of cartographic achievement, requiring an army of surveyors, geographers, lithographers, and salesmen to print and sell. As such, they were always expensive products intended for use by governments, academic institutions, and businesses.



Original slipcase included. Printed colour. Folded. [SEAS5155]