Antique 17th Century Map of the Islands Near Ceylon or Sri Lanka, 1672

About this sheet

Antique map titled 'Eyland Ceylon.' Map of the islands near Ceylon or Sri Lanka. Dutch text on verso. Source unknown, to be determined.

Artists and Engravers: Philip Baldaeus (1632-1672). Father Philippus Baldaeus, Baelde or Philip Balde (October 1632, Delft - 1672, Geervliet) was a Dutch minister. He went to Jaffna, Ceylon with an invading Dutch force during 17th Century. As the first European he documented the life, language and culture of Tamil people, living in the north of the island. It is a great historical record, similar to Mahawamsa, and it was immediately published in Dutch and German (with many beautiful plates).

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