A complete uniformly bound first edition set of Captain James Cook's three voyages, a cornerstone of maritime exploration and cartographic history. This collection documents Cook's groundbreaking expeditions across the Pacific, revealing previously uncharted territories by European explorers including Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. These volumes are the official records, meticulously compiled from Cook's journals, and are essential for any serious collector of travel literature, maritime history, or early exploration.
Volume 1 - Cook (James), Hawkesworth (John)
An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere, And successively performed by Commodore Byron, Captain Carteret, Captain Wallis, and Captain Cook, First Edition.
Published in 1773, this is John Hawkesworth's edited account of the initial voyages commissioned by the British Admiralty, featuring prominently Captain Cook's groundbreaking first expedition aboard HMS Endeavour. This three-volume set, a cornerstone of Pacific exploration, documents the voyages of Byron, Wallis, Carteret, and Cook, detailing crucial discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Engraved frontispiece portrait of Captain Cook by J.K. Sherwin after N. Dance Holland.
- 25 maps and charts (predominantly folding).
- 27 folding plates.
- Notably, this set contains the "Chart of the Straits of Magellan" in Volume I, often absent in early first editions.
- Provenance: Castle Goring.
- References: Cox I, p.19; Hill 782; Sabin 30934; Beddie 648; Henze II, p.713; Kroepelien 535.
Condition:
Presented in contemporary gilt calf with a modern gilt backstrip and contrasting morocco lettering pieces. The text exhibits slight foxing throughout, with more noticeable foxing in volumes II and III, and occasional offsetting. Light wormholing is present in the margins of Volume II, along with some minor staining. The covers show light spotting. Overall, a desirable copy.
Volume 2 - Cook (James)
A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Performed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure, First Edition.
Published in 1777, Captain James Cook's account of his second groundbreaking voyage, conducted aboard HMS Resolution and Adventure. This two-volume set details Cook's ambitious expedition to circumnavigate the globe as far south as possible, driven by the quest for Terra Australis. Notably, this voyage marked the first recorded crossing of the Antarctic Circle, effectively debunking the myth of a vast southern continent. Cook's discoveries included Easter Island, Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Marquesas, New Caledonia, and South Georgia.
- Complete set of 64 plates, comprising maps, charts, plans, and fold-out illustrations, documenting Cook's significant discoveries.
- Frontispiece portrait of Captain Cook.
- Fold-out map, professionally repaired at the original fold line.
Condition:
A handsome set presented in brown tree calf with gilt spines and morocco labels. The plates and maps are in excellent condition, exhibiting no foxing due to the superior quality of the paper. Previous owner's signature and bookplate are present on the paste-downs, accompanied by minor pencil notes. The fold-out map and frontispiece have been professionally repaired.
Volume 3 - Cook (James) and King (James)
A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Undertaken by Command of His Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere, First Edition.
Published in 1784, the account of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, completed under the direction of Captains Clarke and Gore. This three-volume set documents Cook's mission to explore the western coast of North America, determine its proximity to Asia, and investigate the feasibility of a northern passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Despite Cook's tragic death in Hawaii, this voyage significantly expanded geographical knowledge of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic regions.
- 24 engraved maps and plans, many folding, detailing the geographic discoveries of the voyage.
- Chronicles Cook's final expedition and its significant contributions to Pacific and Arctic exploration.
Condition:
Lightly rubbed covers, with some offsetting present in the text. Overall, a clean and desirable set.
Atlas: Webber, John (et al.). Atlas to A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1784) - First Edition
This is the rare, folio-sized atlas published in 1784, accompanying Captain Cook's third and final voyage. It features 61 meticulously engraved plates and two maps, providing invaluable visual documentation of the lands and peoples encountered during the expedition. The atlas is highly prized for its large format and the detailed engravings by John Webber, the official artist on Cook's voyage, offering a powerful visual counterpart to the written narrative.
- Complete with 61 engraved plates and 2 engraved maps.
- Folio-sized format, showcasing the detail of Webber's engravings.
- Visual record of Cook's third voyage, capturing the landscapes and indigenous cultures encountered.
- Engravings by John Webber, Cook's official expedition artist.
Condition:
Presented in contemporary boards, the atlas exhibits damp staining and foxing throughout. The plates remain largely intact, although the edges of the final section show signs of wear. Despite these imperfections, this atlas remains a remarkable and historically significant visual supplement to Cook's narrative.
