Singapore (sold)

An extremely scarce 1815 map of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore (Sincapore) by John William Norie. This map covers from Aceh in northwestern Sumatra (Acheen) to Singapore Island and Pulu Bintang. This map first appeared in 1803 when it was issued by William ... (more details)

This is a rare and important large format (72 x 56.25 in) 1927 F.M.S. Survey folding wall map of the Malay Peninsula, including Singapore and the Straits Settlements. Among other features, it provides a comprehensive view of land usage (or in this case, 'Alienation' of the lands from Malay populations into British company ownership) across the Malay Peninsula at the height of the colonial era. (more details)

An extremely scarce 1844 James Horsburgh nautical chart of southern Malaysia, Singapore, and the straits of Malacca and ... (more details)

An exceptionally rare nautical chart of Singapore and vicinity issued by Urban Dortet de Tessan, under the patronage of ... (more details)

An exceptionally scarce and important 1798 nautical map of the Malacca and Singapore Straits by the English maritime ... (more details)

The rare 1850 final edition of the James Horsburgh nautical map of Singapore and the surrounding waters when it was the epicenter of British power in the East Indies. The chart covers the southern extreme of the Malay Peninsula, including all of Singapore Island and Singapore Strait, as well as adjacent islands and parts of eastern Sumatra. It was Horsburgh's first chart of the dangerous waters surrounding the Strait of Singapore and was the definitive mapping of these seas for nearly 30 years. (more details)

This 1857 nautical chart or maritime map of the Strait of Singapore and the southern part of the Malacca Strait is considered to be James Horsburgh's most desirable chart. Made for the British East India Company, this is one of the first charts to accurately map these heavily trafficked but treacherous straits. The chart covers the Malay peninsula roughly from Penang (Prince of Wales Island) to the island of Singapore and from the Sumatran coast to the China Sea. It features sixteen profile views as well as countless depth soundings, especially around the dangerous southern part of the Malacca Strait in the vicinity of Singapore. (more details)

An extremely important and scarce set of Singapore Maps issued in 1958 under the Surveyor General Malaya. This map set was created during the 1955 - 1958 period of partial internal self-governance and compilated in the year Singapore attained full internal self-governance. The maps cover all of Singapore island as well adjacent islands, and include two supplementary maps, one focusing on Keppel Harbor, and the other extending the coverage eastward to Pulau Tekong. The detail throughout is astounding, with individual buildings, alleyways, roads, and more identified. A key shows the locations of temples (noting religious affiliation), hospitals, schools, government offices, dispensaries, community centers, and fire stations, and other constructions. The map also notes topography, geographical features, the extent of natural and cultivated vegetation, maritime details. (more details)

An extremely scarce 1842 James Horsburgh nautical chart of parts of the east Indies and Southeast Asia, including ... (more details)

A rare 1870 British Admiralty nautical chart or maritime map of the Singapore Strait. Centered Singapore city ... (more details)

One of the earliest obtainable views of Singapore, this is Eugène Cicéri's 1846 view of Singapore drawn from original sketches and maps compiled during Dumont d'Urville's (1790 - 1842) circumnavigation of the globe. The source sketches were created when d'Urville's ships, Astrolabe and Zellee, were at Singapore between June 27 and July 2, 1839. (more details)

One of the earliest obtainable views of Singapore, this is Eugène Cicéri's 1846 view of Singapore drawn from original sketches and maps compiled during Jules Sébastien César Dumont d'Urville's (1790 - 1842) circumnavigation of the globe. The source sketches were created when d'Urville's ships, Astrolabe and Zélée, were at Singapore between June 27 and July 2, 1839. (more details)

Known as the Jackson Plan or Raffles Plan, this is the first published map of Singapore. Published in 1828, the map was drawn by Lieutenant Philip Jackson at the request of the founder of modern Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles (1781 - 1826). It is divided into two sections, a map of the island of Singapore at top, and a close-up plan of the town of Singapore at bottom, oriented towards the west. The city plan presents an idealized version of Singapore following the Raffles vision and, while not fully implemented, was influential in the early development of the colony. (more details)

This is an extremely rare large format 1958 first edition map of Singapore in Chinese and English. Being published just one year after the 1957 Treaty of London recognized the independence of the Federation of Malaysia – which then included Singapore - and in the year that Singapore formally attained internal self-governance. The political transition led to a wave of new bi-lingual publications as English was no longer the only official language. Maps in multiple languages became a necessity both for functional and administrative use. (more details)

This is an extremely rare large format 1958 first edition map of Singapore in Chinese and English. Being published just one year after the 1957 Treaty of London recognized the independence of the Federation of Malaysia – which then included Singapore - and in the year that Singapore formally attained internal self-governance. The political transition led to a wave of new bi-lingual publications as English was no longer the only official language. Maps in multiple languages became a necessity both for functional and administrative use. (more details)

A scarce 1794 nautical chart or maritime map of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, including the island ... (more details)

Known as the Jackson Plan or Raffles Plan, this is the first published map of Singapore. Published in 1828, the map was drawn by Lieutenant Philip Jackson at the request of Singapore founder Sir Stamford Raffles (1781 - 1826). It is divided into two sections, a map of the island of Singapore, and a close-up plan of the town of Singapore. The city plan presents an idealized version of Singapore following the Raffles vision and, while not fully implemented, was influential in the early development of the colony. (more details)

Called the Jackson Plan or Raffles Plan, this is the first published map of Singapore. Published in 1828, the map was drawn by Lieutenant Philip Jackson at the request of Singapore founder Sir Stamford Raffles. The map is divided into two sections, a map of the island of Singapore, and a close up of the town of Singapore. The city plan presents an idealized version of Singapore following the Raffles vision and, while not fully implemented, was influential in the early development of the colony. (more details)

The first printed view of Singapore, issued less than 10 years after it was founded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781 - 1826). This aquatint view was published in 1828 after a painting by Royal Navy Captain Robert James Elliot. It looks on Singapore from Government Hill, covering the Plain, Singapore River, and Chinatown. Even at this early stage, presents a bustling city with numerous buildings and a lively port. We have not been able to trance Elliot's original painting. (more details)

A rare French Dépôt Général de la Marine nautical chart or maritime map of Singapore and the southern ... (more details)

The first printed view of Singapore, issued less than 10 years after it was founded by Sir Thomas ... (more details)

This is a 1942 Land Survey Division of the Japanese General Staff map of Malaysia, Sumatra, and ... (more details)

An extremely scarce 1934 F.M.S. (Federated Malay States) Survey map of Singapore's downtown ... (more details)

This is a 1942 Section IV of the German Army High Command's Department of Wehrmacht Propaganda Portuguese language pictorial propaganda broadside created celebrating the Japanese invasion and capture of Singapore. Sixty thousand British troops in Singapore surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army on February 15, 1942, an event Winston Churchill called 'the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history'. While the vignettes on the front of the broadside do not appear to support the Axis or the Allies, the text on the verso proves otherwise. The text derides British and American imperialism, particularly with regard to Britain's militarization of Singapore and highlights Singapore's fortress-like qualities. The text at the bottom of the page congratulates Japan and states that the British and the United States will soon be annihilated.

A Description of the Broadside

The broadside features four vignettes illustrating different aspects of the Japanese invasion of Singapore. A brightly colored idyllic view of the city of Singapore is situated on the top left, with a vignette of the Japanese advance toward Singapore along the Malay Peninsula below it on the lower left. This vignette features Japanese soldiers trekking through the jungle behind a tank, while a building burns in the background. On the top right, the Japanese attack on the airport in Singapore is illustrated, complete with depictions of the famed Mitsubishi Zero fighter aircraft and several other Japanese planes, all adorned with the Rising Sun. The fourth vignette in the lower right corner presents Japanese troops marching into Singapore in front of the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. A map of the region, situated along the top between the view of the city and the vignette of the Japanese aerial attack on the airport, notes the British and American military bases that had been conquered by the Japanese and also states, that with the fall of Singapore, the line in the Pacific between the United States and India, Africa, and Europe, had been severed.

Portuguese Neutrality during World War II

On September 1, 1939, the day Nazi Germany invaded Poland and officially ignited World War II, Portugal declared that the 600-year-old Anglo-Portuguese Alliance remained intact, but since the British were not seeking Portuguese assistance, Portugal would remain neutral in the war. In an aide-mémoire issued on September 5, 1939, the British Government confirmed its understanding of Portugal's statement and supported its neutrality. Even so, Portugal played a critical role in the war, particularly with regard to the refugee crisis suffered by so many during the war, and in saving Europe's Jewish population. Several Portuguese ambassadors and consuls general were responsible for handing out visas to refugees and Europe's Jewish community. The Portuguese Ambassador in Budapest, Carlos Sampaio Garrido, helped an estimated 1,000 Hungarian Jews in 1944 and the Portuguese consul general in Bordeaux helped an undetermined number of refugees by issuing them visas. Around 2,500 refugees were evacuated from Gibraltar in July 1940 ahead of the expected German attack and were welcomed by Portuguese Madeira. (more details)

This is a 1938 F.M.S. Survey city map or plan of Singapore. The map depicts the city of ... (more details)

A large and impressive 1872 nautical chart by James Imray covering eastern Malaya (Malaysia), Singapore, and parts of Borneo and Sumatra. (more details)

A scarce 1861 British Admiralty nautical chart or maritime map of the Strait of ... (more details)

An exceptionally rare 1852 nautical chart of Singapore and vicinity issued by ... (more details)

This is a 1915 British Admiralty nautical chart or maritime map of the city ... (more details)

This is a 1927 British Admiralty nautical chart or maritime map of the ... (more details)

This is a rare and striking large format 1923 Japanese nautical chart ... (more details)

A rare 1923 British Admiralty nautical chart illustrating southern ... (more details)