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. Carte de la Cote N.O. de l'Amerique et de la Cote N.E. de l Asie Reconnues en 1778 et 1779..., by Rigobert Bonne, from Atlas Encyclopedique, circa 1787 (13.7 x 9.3"). Fascinating map showing the explorations of Capt. Cook's expedition in Alaska, the Bering Strait and Kamchatka. The track of his ship in 1778 and 1779 are shown, as well as soundings. Ref: Falk #1788-1. Condition: On a watermarked sheet with a couple minor spots and faint offsetting. (A)

B. Carte de l'Entree de Norton, et du Detroit de Bhering ou l'on Voit le Cap le Plus Oriental de l'Asie, et la Pointe la Plus Occidentale de l'Amerique, by Cook/Benard, from Troisieme Voyage de Cook, ou Voyage a l'Ocean Pacifique…, circa 1785 (15.4 x 10.6"). French edition of this map from the expedition of Capt. James Cook. It covers the Bering Strait from south of Norton Sound to north of Cap du Prince de Galles and the corresponding coastline of Russia. Features include hachures representing coastal mountains, islands, place names and soundings. St. Lawrence Island, Isles de Clerke is partially shown. Tracks of both the 1778 and 1779 exploration are delineated; Cook having done the former and Clerke the latter after Cook's death in Hawaii in Feb. 1779. Ref: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.COOK-4a #15. Condition: On watermarked paper with light offsetting. (B+)

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See description above.