Carte de L’Itineraire Suivi par M. Le Comte de Tinseau

Report of a French visit to southeast Asia during a period of intensifying colonialization.

This charming map of the southern portions of modern day Cambodia and Vietnam highlights the regional geography and political organization under French colonial authority. Topography is shown with simple hachure, and numerous towns, landmarks, and kingdoms are labeled within the image. Of particular note are the ruins of Angkor Wat, Saigon, Phnom Penh, and the Iron Mountains.

The map was issued to accompany a two part travel article (also present) on the voyage of Leon de Tinseau to the region. In addition to visiting the areas described above, the accompanying letter press journal describes an audience with the King of Cambodia and dinner with the viceroy of Siam. Though the text paints an appropriately rosy picture of the relationship between French and local authorities; the reality was far different.

In 1884 (the same year of issue), King Norodom was forced by the French, using an early example of gunboat diplomacy, to relinquish control over public revenues. A revolt by the king’s half brother the following year saw significant violence in the southeast, near the city of Kampot.

The image was engraved by Yves & Barret and published in Paris for the 1884 issue of Journal Des Demoiselles. The magazine was founded by Madame Jeanne-Justine Fouqueau de Pussy in 1833 and would be subsequently issued in several different issues for nearly a century.