Books

London: Printed for A. Strahan, and T. Cadell,, 1773. Cook's first voyage First edition of the official account of Cook's first voyage, a handsome and appealing set in the preferred issue with the Straits of Magellan plate, together with previous exploratory expeditions under Byron, Carteret and Wallis, compiled by John Hawkesworth. The primary purpose of Cook's voyage in Endeavour was the observation of the transit of Venus from Tahiti, and then to continue the enterprise of geographical investigation begun by Byron. This was to result in the discovery of the Society Islands, the circumnavigation of New Zealand, and the charting of the eastern coast of Australia. "Hawkesworth, an eminent London author, was chosen by Lord Sandwich and commissioned by the Admiralty to prepare these narratives for publication... [He] was expected to add polish to the rough narratives of sea men, and to present the accounts in a style befitting the status of the voyages as official government…

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.