Chinese collections at the Bodleian: The Selden Map of China

The Selden Map of China was one of the first Chinese maps to reach Europe. It came into the Bodleian Library in 1659 from the estate of the London lawyer John Selden.
Its importance was recognised in 2008 by Professor Robert Batchelor who noted two distinguishing factors.
Firstly, it did not just show China at the centre of the map but the whole of East and Southeast Asia. Secondly, it is the earliest example Chinese merchant shipping routes - showing China's exchange with the rest of the world at a time when it was supposed to be isolated.
The Bodleian Libraries in Oxford have one of the most significant Chinese rare book and manuscript collections outside China containing the largest number of Chinese books that arrived in Europe in 17th century.
As part of a ten-year project funded by Chung Hon Dak Foundation, we have digitised over 1,800 items, as well as worked with the local Chinese community to explore our collections in more detail.
visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/chine...