Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 5622:
Description
This historic engraving is from Captain James Cook and John Hawkesworth’s <em>An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the order of His Present Majesty for making discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere, and successively performed by Commodore Byron, Captain Wallis, Captain Carteret, and Captain Cook, in the Dolphin, the Swallow, and the Endeavour; Drawn up from the journals which were kept by the several commanders, and from the papers of Joseph Banks</em>. The work was published in London and printed for W. Strahan, and T. Cadell in 1773. A fascinating narrative intended to "embellish England’s prestige as a maritime power" (Hill) and describing events that were to be major factors in the shaping of Pacific exploration. The work included accounts edited by Hawkesworth of the voyages of Byron, Wallis and Carteret, with the remaining engravings dedicated wholly to Cook’s first voyage.<br><br>"The first voyage under … Captain Cook’s command on the Endeavour, was primarily of a scientific nature. The expedition was to sail to Tahiti in order to observe the transit of Venus across the disk of the sun, to determine the earth’s distance from the sun, and also to carry on the geographical discovery that John Byron had started. Entering the Pacific around Cape Horn, Cook reached Tahiti in 1769 and carried out the necessary astronomical observations … Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel C. Solander carried out extensive ethnological and botanical research. Leaving Tahiti in July, Cook discovered, named, and charted the Society Islands, and then, heading southwest, explored New Zealand, which resulted in … a detailed survey of the country. Cook then headed toward Australia and discovered and charted the eastern coast for 2,000 miles, naming the area New South Wales … Both Australia and New Zealand were annexed by the British as a result of this voyage, which began in 1768 and ended in 1771. Cook had charted upwards of 5,000 miles of coastline under great difficulties. Cook’s discoveries won him prominence, promotion, and the opportunity to sail again. They also ensured John Hawkesworth’s position in maritime literary history, as the official chronicler of Cook’s first voyage. Hawkesworth, an eminent London author, was chosen by Lord Sandwich and commissioned by the Admiralty to prepare these narratives for publication … [He] was expected to add polish to the rough narratives of sea men, and to present the accounts in a style befitting the status of the voyages as official government expeditions, intended to embellish England’s prestige as a maritime power." (Hill)
Paper Size: ~ 15 1/2" by 10" (Fold Out)
Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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