Tag Archives: dutch east india company

The Mystery of Pulau Cendana, Sandal Bosch Eyland, Sandalwood Island or Pulau Sumba.

Sandalwood is heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and, unlike many other aromatic woods retains its fragrance for decades. Both the wood and the oil produce a distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries and it is often cited as one … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

When the Australian Lillipilly Collides with Asia

You’re probably familiar with the sight of a lillipilly bush. This hardy Australian staple – a glossy evergreen bearing powder-puff flowers and clusters of bright berries – features in many a garden hedge. But you may not know this humble … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Tasman Map – IMCOS Book Review

https://www.ianburnetbooks.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Map History Books of 2020 – The Tasman Map

https://www.ianburnetbooks.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Talking about the Spice Islands – with Janet de Neefe and Ian Burnet

For those who missed the talk on Instagram Live last week, then here is a link to the conversation between Janet de Neefe and Ian Burnet about Spices, the Spice Islands and Indonesia’s extraordinary maritime history.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

24 November 1642, Van Diemens Land

In the late afternoon of 24 November 1642, and thankfully still in daylight, the Dutch East India Company ships Heemskerk and the Zeehan sighted distant mountains. An overnight storm could dash them onto this unknown coast and they prudently decided … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Historic Maps in Marble

The new Amsterdam City Hall was completed in 1655. This remarkable building which was built on 13,659 wooden piles at a cost 8.5 million guilders, is now the Royal Palace and still dominates the Dam Square today. The relatively simple … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Batavia – Onrust Island

Pulau Onrust is an island in Jakarta Bay that was developed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a shipyard to repair their ships. Consequently it housed a permanent staff of artisans such as carpenters, sailmakers, ropemakers etc.etc. The … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

East Indies (update)

The book East Indies tells of the struggle of the East India Companies for trade supremacy in the Eastern Seas over two centuries. It follows the trade winds and the trade routes to the port cities across Asia and the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Terra Australis 1606 ( podcast with maps)

Please follow the link to see a talk given recently at the Royal Australian Historical Society on the first European discovery or sighting of Australia in 1606 by the Dutch voyage led by Willem Janzoon and the Spanish voyage led … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment