Imagine: Only a few months after the worldwide presentation of the oldest share of the world , a new discovery is prepared to be made public early next year.
A peek into some files on a usb-stick (left unattended just long enough) of a Dutch history student reveals notes and drawings of an old document. Actually it appears to be a canvas, a bit damaged by time, nevertheless clearly describing the workings of the Dutch United East-Indian Company. The design is nothing like any similar from that time.
The words “Xander van het Ooschtenwoud voor de Heeren XVII AD 1 april 1611” at the bottom of the document are puzzling. Apparently it dates back to an early stage of the VOC. The words ‘voor de Heeren XVII’ refer to the Lords Seventeen that formed the governing body of the VOC. The name Ooschtenwoud (old Dutch) is related to the name Oostenwald which has traces to South Africa. The VOC used to maintain an important fortification and trade post there called Cape The Good Hope. Further investigation may provide information whether Ooschtenwoud acted as consiglieri to the Lords Seventeen.
Considering the apparent importance of this document, a spectacular presentation may be expected. Given the date mentioned, the Dutch Authorities likely will time the presentation when it will be actually 400 years old, immediately after the last day of March 2011.