1842 Derfelden 9-Sheet Map of the East Indies (cased in red leather)

This expansive 1842 8-sheet map of the East Indies compiled by Gijsbert Franco von Derfelden van Hinderstein is the largest and most important map of the East Indies made in the mid-19th century. Compiled from 1820 to 1840, it is the first map to depict the administrative divisions of the Dutch East Indies as the islands progressively came under Dutch administration. The current example is handsomely housed in 9 gilt-stamped leather slipcases.

A Closer Look

The map consists of 8 sheets and an index sheet. Coverage embraces from Sumatra to New Guinea and from the Gulf of Siam to Java, thus including Malaya, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, the Celebes, Timor, western New Guinea, and countless smaller islands. There are 26 insets, most offering hydrographic details. Significant insets include a large detail map of western Sumatra and a city plan of Batavia. Singapore island appears as 'Singapore' with the young city, founded in 1819, marked.

Construction of the Map

The development of the map spanned two decades, from 1827 to 1847. In 1828, Von Derfelden received a commission from King William I (1772 - 1843) to complete a comprehensive cartography reassessment of the increasingly Dutch-dominated East Indies. With support from his friend Godert Alexander Van der Capellen (1778 - 1848), the former Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, and J.C. Baud, an official at the Ministry of Colonies, Von Derfelden amassed as much recent and comprehensive information as possible covering the entire archipelago.

This included approximately 160 maps on loan, and an additional 170 maps via the Ministry. Furthermore, Van der Capellen’s network provided access to around 30 manuscripts from various surveyors operating within the archipelago. Von Derfelden also utilized English and French printed maps from his personal collection. He meticulously created faithful copies or extracts of the manuscript maps as needed. Von Derfelden's manuscript drafts survive at the Bibliothèque nationale de France; his annotations on these materials provide insight into his meticulous methodology.

The diverse scales and longitudinal references of the sourced materials required careful standardization to the desired scale and longitude. As the project progressed, the Ministry of Colonies adjusted its requirements for the map. Initially planned as a map measuring 30 x 46 in, covering latitudes from 10°N to 12°S and longitudes from 95° to 134°E, the project evolved through several iterations. The final version measured 63 × 95 in, encompassing latitudes from 10°N to 12°S and longitudes from 95° to 141°E.

From 1827 to 1837, Von Derfelden dedicated himself to the master manuscript. Due to the continuous influx of more precise data, the project underwent several revisions to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. In 1838, Von Derfelden's manuscripts were delivered to the Topographic Bureau for drafting, after which, from 1840 to 1843, the copperplates were engraved. It was subsequently printed in 1000 copies.

Publication History and Census

This map was compiled by Gijsbert Franco von Derfelden van Hinderstein. OCLC notes just four examples in the United States: Yale, Connecticut State Library, Boston Public, and Library of Congress. Additional examples in Europe are located at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, Universitaire Bibliotheken Leiden, Tresoar Frisian Historical and Literary Centre, and the British Library. No market history.