Captain James Cook (1728-1779) is best known for his three voyages to the Pacific (1768-71; 1772-75; and 1776-79). His discoveries radically changed the western understanding of the world in the late 18th century. He was the first to circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and provided the earliest European accounts of exploration along the eastern coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. On February 14th, 1779, he was killed on Hawaii after attempting to kidnap the chief of the island.

Many contemporary accounts of Cook’s voyages, including charts and engravings, appeared in the late 18th century. The first official account of Cook’s first voyage was published in 1773 by John Hawkesworth in Volumes II and III of An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere... William Strahan and Thomas Cadell published the first official accounts of the second and third voyages in 1777 and 1784. Accounts of his exploration were subsequently translated into French, German, and Dutch.

A) Extremite Meridionale de l'Amerique, by Rigobert Bonne, from Atlas Encyclopedique, published 1787-88 (13.5 x 9.3"). This copper-engraved sheet of Tierra del Fuego is centered on a large compass rose. The map details the treacherous track through the Straits of Magellan. Five insets show bays, small groups of islands, soundings, rocks, and anchorages. Engraved by Andre. Condition: Wide margins with faint offsetting and light toning along centerfold. There are a few minute worm holes in upper blank margin, far from map image.

B) [4 Coastal Views], engraved by Walker, from A New Authentic and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World, published by Alexander Hogg, 1784 (13.2 x 8"). Condition: One small, insignificant spot in blank area of view near bottom. There are three minute holes in upper blank margin and binding holes in lower blank margin.

C) View of the Indians of Terra Del Fuego, with a Representation of a Hut, and their Domestic Mode of Living, engraved by Morris, from A New Authentic and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World, published by Alexander Hogg, 1784 (13 x 8"). Condition: A few light spots, primarily confined to blank margins. There are three minute holes in upper blank margin and binding holes in lower blank margin.

D) A Man of Christmas Sound, Tierra del Fuego [on sheet with] A Woman of Christmas Sound, Tierra del Fuego, from A New Authentic and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World, published by Alexander Hogg, 1784 (13.3 x 8.8"). Condition: There is a tiny bit of paper glued to neatline at bottom. There are three minute holes in upper blank margin and binding holes in lower blank margin.

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Condition: B+

See description.