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. Le Capitaine Wallis est Attaque dans le Dauphin par les Otahitiens, (12.6 x 8.3"). This exciting view depicts Captain Samuel Wallis and his ship, the Dolphin, arriving in Tahiti. The Dolphin is firing to intimidate natives who were approaching the vessel and throwing stones. Wallis discovered Tahiti and provided Cook with information and some of the Dolphin's crew that proved helpful on Cook's own voyages. Condition: There are a few small faint spots and a pair of miniscule worm holes around the centerfold that are only visible when held up to light.

B. Vue de la Baye de Matavai a Otahiti Appellee Havre du Port-Royal par le Capitaine Wallis, (6.7 x 8.7"). Another view of Tahiti, this time presenting a peaceful landscape of Matavai Bay. There are natives performing various tasks on top of a hill, with the Dolphin, a trio of smaller boats, and a village visible in the background. Condition: A dark impression with a single tiny abrasion.

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Condition: A

See description above.