Books

London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1773. 1st edition. Hardcover. charts and engravings. 4to. This is the first printing, first state, of the famous account of what is now described as 'Cook's First Voyage', although primary credit for the creation of this account is given to John Hawkesworth (who had been commissioned by the Admiralty to edit Capt. Cook's papers). Note: there was a second edition published in the same year, containing a Preface by Hawkesworth (Beddie 650). Volume I of our offering ends at page 676, and shows page 139 as numbered 139-360 (as called for in Beddie 648). It contains 18 of the 21 charts and plates called for in this volume, lacking two charts and one plate (or 'cut' as it is called). Volume II has a large tide mark across the top of the first third, or so, of the contents. Page 189 is misnumbered 191. Old worm hole to margins of pages 119-161. Contains 16 of 22 charts and plates (five folding charts, seven folding plates, and four single page plates). The…

This book provides a detailed account of Captain James Cook's voyages to the Southern Hemisphere, ordered by King George III to make discoveries and establish British claim to new territories. The narrative includes Cook's meticulous observations about geography, the local inhabitants, and his experiences during the expeditions.