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.

This lot includes a chart and three prints based on Captain Cook's visit to Unalaska Island during his third and final voyage. The navigational chart depicts Samganooda Harbour on Unalaska Island, one of the Aleutian Islands. Oriented with north at the bottom, it shows numerous soundings and the location of rocks. The prints include a shore-side scene with several natives and kayaks, a portrait of an Aleut woman, and an illustration of traditional Aleut hats. All of these sheets were engraved by Benard.

A. Plan du Havre de Samganoodha, dans l'Isle de Oonalaska, (6.8 x 7.7").
B. Naturels et Habitations de Oonalashka, (14.2 x 8.9").
C. Une Femme de Oonalashka, (6.8 x 9.0").
D. Chapeaux des Naturels d'Oonalashka, (11.3 x 8.7").

References: cf. Falk (Alaska to 1900) #1784-9.

Condition: A

All of the sheets are in very good condition with just some minor spots and/or soiling. The print of the coastal scene has short centerfold separations in the top and bottom margins that have been closed on verso with archival tape.