A Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and Quest of a North-West Passage, between Asia & America; Performed in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778 and 1779

Ledyard, John

Published by Hartford Nathaniel Patten 1783 First Edition, 1773

About this Item

[1-7],208 pp. Octavo (17.8 X 12.5 cm.) Original full contemporary calf with original deep red spine label. Corners are worn and bumped. Boards are a bit mottled. Label on spine with a very small chip. Original endpapers. High quality facsimile of the very rare folding map on old paper to match the text, tipped in as a frontispiece. Five initial leaves with old marginal repairs in the bottom of the gutter. A few letters in expert facsimile. Text is evenly toned and has areas of more staining and browning. The paper is still supple and flexible. Overall a superior copy of a book never found in nice condition. Streeter 3477; Howes L-181; Sabin 39691; Forbes 52; Beddie 1603: Hill 991 and Lada Mocarski 36. This is the Narrative of the only American to accompany Capt. Cook on his last voyage. It is one of the rarest titles related to Captain Cook's Voyage. It is the first American travel book and the first to be copyrighted in America. Ledyard was with Cook when Hawaii was discovered and contains a very early account of the "Death of Cook." The very rare map is missing in most copies, with this one containing a very high quality facsimile. Copies in the original binding and spine label are very rare as most have been rebound with this being very rare and a remarkable survival. Housed in a cloth clam shell box. Contemporary, or near, signature of Frederic Stillman on the front and rear endpaper, as well as an early notation the book is from the Colebrook Library. In addition the book is numbered No. 59 and gives the original price next to it!. Seller Inventory # 143494

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to ...

Publisher: Hartford Nathaniel Patten 1783 First Edition

Publication Date: 1773

Binding: Hardcover