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 four striking views of the Society Islands. The chart depicts the Society Islands, including Tahiti, and the tracks of Commodore Byron, Capt. Cook, Capt. Carteret, and Capt. Wallis. It was drawn on a Mercator projection and engraved by Benard for the Paris edition of John Hawkesworth's Account of the Voyages. The first print, engraved by Godefroy, shows Captain Samuel Wallis, an important predecessor to Cook, being greeted by Queen Oberea on Tahiti. The second and third prints were both engraved by Benard and illustrate Cook witnessing a human sacrifice and the corpse of a chief, respectively. Funeral rites for the Tahitian dead are detailed in the final print, engraved by Demonchy.

A. Carte des Isles Decouvertes aux Environs d'Otahiti, dans Plusieurs Voyages faits Autour du Monde par les Capitaines Byron, Wallis, Carteret et Cook. En 1765. 1767. 1769, from Relation des Voyages Entrepris par Ordre de Sa Majeste Britannique..., circa 1780 (20.2 x 9.5").
B. Cession de l'Isle d'Otahiti au Capitaine Wallis par la Reine Oberea, from Relation des Voyages Entrepris par Ordre de Sa Majeste Britannique..., circa 1780 (12.5 x 7.9").
C. Sacrifice Humain qui eut Lieu dans un des Morais d'O-Taiti, from Troisieme Voyage De Cook, ou Voyage a l'Ocean Pacifique..., circa 1785 (18.3 x 8.9").
D. Le Corps de Thee, Chef de O-Taiti, tel qu'on le Conservoit Apres sa Mort, from Troisieme Voyage De Cook, ou Voyage a l'Ocean Pacifique..., circa 1785 (14.4 x 8.8").
E. Maniere dont on Expose les Morts a Otahiti, from Relation des Voyages Entrepris par Ordre de Sa Majeste Britannique..., circa 1780 (13.2 x 7.9").

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Condition: B+

The chart was issued folding with a few small spots in the image and minor offsetting. The prints have marginal toning and/or foxing, and a few have minor spots in the image.