1938 Map of Singapore City and the Malay Peninsula

A very rare 1938 map of Singapore City and the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia) issued by the Singapore Japanese Club. This curious map is printed on both sides. The recto features a map of Singapore City, what is today generally referred to as the Downtown Core. It covers, roughly from Keppel Harbor to the Seaview Hotel and inland as far as modern day Newton. Streets and business are identified in both Japanese / Chinese and English. On the verso the map details the Malay Peninsula from Kedah to Johore and Singapore Island. Notes provinces, roads, rail lines, and major topographical features. At sea, shipping likes are noted. There is also a large inset of Singapore island bearing the date 1838. The cartography for both maps (front and back) is derived from the F.M.S. (Federated Malay States) Surveys.

This map was published by the Singapore Japanese Club for its member in 1938. It was printed by the Dai-Nippon Printing Company of Japan. A later edition, appearing in Showa 17 or 1942 was printed by the Arai Printing Company (Arai Insatsujo). We have identified only three examples in institutional collections. Image above represts two sides of a single sheet.