Catalog Archive
Auction 181, Lot 14

"A General Chart: Exhibiting the Discoveries Made by Captn. James Cook in This and His Two Preceeding Voyages; with the Tracks of the Ships Under His Command", Cook, James (Capt.)

Subject: World

Period: 1784 (circa)

Publication: A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean

Color: Black & White

Size:
36.1 x 21.6 inches
91.7 x 54.9 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 large map on Mercator's projection was compiled by Lieut. Henry Roberts from Cook's surveys after the third expedition. The map is centered on Australasia with the routes of the Endeavour (1768-71) and Resolution (1772-75 and 1776-80) illustrated with occasional notes along the tracks. Roberts began his compilation under Cook's supervision and completed it after Cook's death. Inland detail is confined to river systems and a few place names. This map was used in the official account of the third voyage. Engraved by W. Palmer.

References: Perry & Prescott #1784-4; Falk #1784-4; Wagner #699; Tooley, p. 46 #331.

Condition: B

Issued folding on paper with a "J. Whatman" watermark. The folds are backed in archival tape to close a couple of long separations. There is some faint offsetting and light toning along the right sheet edge. A chip above the title has been replaced with old paper, with the "E" in "General" partially replaced in facsimile.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300

Sold for: $750

Closed on 2/10/2021

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