"Chart of the N.W. Coast of America and the N.E. Coast of Asia, Explored in the Years 1778 and 1779", Faden, William

This is the rare second state of this map published by Faden, dated 1794 in the publisher's imprint at bottom, and incorporating up-to-date information along the coast of America and inland in Russia and North America. Of particular interest is the partial depiction of the Sea of the West, which is also named The North Sea and A'ass Toopulse or Great Sea. There are notes regarding the depiction of the Sea of the West by Delisle and Buache. The map shows the coastline of northwestern North America and northeastern Asia, with particular emphasis on Bristol Bay north to the Bering Strait. The detail is focused on Cook's third and final expedition (1776-79), when he traveled up the northern reach of the Pacific in search of a Northwest Passage. His routes are traced and dated. Cook probed up along the Oregon coast in bad weather to Nootka Sound, where he rested and refitted his ships. They sailed forth to the Alaskan and Chukotskiy peninsulas and from there into the Bering Strait. Cook got as far north as 70° by 41° N before being forced back by the ice off Icy Cape. The expedition came south down the Russian coast and then east to Norton Sound. Cook's expedition then sailed south to Hawaii, where Cook was killed in a dispute with the natives. His second-in-command Clerke took over the expedition and they explored further in Hawaii before returning north to continue the exploration for the Northwest Passage. Engraved by William Palmer.

References: Kershaw #1152; McGuirk #204.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color on a lightly toned sheet with light soiling, minor offsetting, moderate toning along the right edge of the sheet, and centerfold separations at top and bottom that have been closed on verso with archival tape. There are a few tiny chips and tears along the edges of the sheet.