A large chart of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines, located in the southwest, with two smaller inset charts of Sooloo Road and Toolyan Bay (by James Rennel). The chart appeared in William Herbert’s “New Directory for the East Indies” which was encouraged by the East India Company and first published in 1758. It quickly became the de-facto atlas of the region taking over prime place from the Third Part of the English Pilot which by then was over 50 years old. Further editions appeared in 1759, 1767 and 1776. It is in this latter edition that numerous new charts were included, many based on the highly talented Scottish hydrographer Alexander Dalrymple who worked for the East India Company from 1752 and became its first Hydrographer in 1779.

The map features depths in fathoms and is fascinating for the number of people who are credited. This map displays the variety of methods used to express detail as best as possible. Line engraving is used for the main outlines but topographical details is etched to better show mountain regions. The line work is credited to B. Henry and the etching to D. Lerpeniere. The writing is credited to yet another engraver, W. Whitchurch. The map comes with a lettered key to the left to important points on the map and a pronunciation guide to the right to local placenames named. Shirley Atlases in the BL M.Herb.1c no. 43; Tooley’s Dictionary.