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 handsome map is a remarkably accurate and early map of Tahiti. It presents the information Capt. James Cook gathered when he spent several months on the island observing the transit of Venus. The detail on the map includes topography and the depiction of reefs, anchorages and soundings. The map of Moorea (Eimeo) is less accurate. Inset maps are of harbors and anchorages on the two islands. This edition of the map, engraved by Andre, appeared in a French edition of Cook’s voyages.

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Condition: A

A nice impression with minor toning and faint offsetting along the centerfold.