Catalog Archive
Auction 152, Lot 186

"Sketch of the Harbour of Samganooda, on the Island Oonalaska...", Cook, James (Capt.)

Subject: Alaska

Period: 1778 (dated)

Publication: A New Authentic Collection of Voyages Round the World

Color: Black & White

Size:
12.9 x 7.9 inches
32.8 x 20.1 cm
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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 navigational chart depicts Samganooda Harbour (better known as Dutch Harbor), on Amaknak Island, one of the Aleutian Islands. Oriented with north at the bottom, this chart shows numerous soundings and the location of rocks and shoals. Engraved by Thomas Bowen and published by Alexander Hogg. According to Wagner, this second volume was published in 1784.

References: Falk (Alaska to 1900) #1784-9; Wagner #697.

Condition: A

An attractive example on watermarked paper. Issued folding with a hint of offsetting.

Estimate: $120 - $150

Unsold

Closed on 2/18/2015

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