DESCRIPTION: Scarce antique "secret" coastal chart of "Cayl" ( Kayalpatnam ) on the Gulf of Mannar, near the southern end of the Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu) that had long been prosperous from maritime trade and pearl fishing. The area was conquered by the Portuguese in 1548, and taken over by the VOC in 1658. Prior to that time Kayal is referred to in Marco Polo's travel diaries dating to 1250 AD. Kayal was an important trading port dating to the 1st century A.D.
The chart identifies Dutch settlements / churches in the area of Kayalpatnam: Warande Patnam, Ould Cayl, Tolhuys, and Groote Kerk van Pt. Cayl, several topped by the Dutch flag. Insert elevation view facing west of the coast line. The seas feature detailed nautical information, including bathymetric soundings and the locations of sandbars and other navigation hazards.
From the sixth part of van Keuelen's "de Nieuwe Groote Lichtende Zee-Fakkel" based on secret charts of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC). Prior to the mid-18th century these charts were only disseminated in manuscript to safeguard what the VOC considerd to be proprietary trade secrets. The Dutch East India Company was the dominant trade force in Asia for nearly 200 years.
Bears the attribution at bottom: "In't ligt gebragt door Joannes van Keulen".
PUBLICATION DATE: 1753
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: India
BODY OF WATER: Indian Ocean
CONDITION: Good.
Clean with light age-toning. A few light diagonal folds and a short bottom margin trimmed to 1/8".
COLORING: Handcolored.
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 10
" x
9 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 6
PRICE: $350
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