This delightful finely engraved plan shows the Batavia Castle, where the VOC had their Asian headquarters, as well as plans of the Oriental and European quarters. At the right of the plan a key shows the important features of the castle and the town itself. An important record of a Jakarta now changed beyond recognition.

This plate originates from the very scarse: 'La galerie agreable du monde . Tome premier des Indes Orientales.', published by P. van der Aa in Leyden, the Netherlands, round the year 1725.

This famous work was published in 66 parts and is the biggest print / map book ever published. Van der Aa incorporated plates by other publishers such as Blaeu, Visscher, de Wit, meurs, Halma, Mortier, Allard in this work and often added broad decorative borders. Probably the costliest and complete universal geographic work ever produced. It is said that only 100 copies were printed. Ref: Koeman Aa9; Phillips 2780 note.