An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's Ships Resolution and Discovery, during the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780; in search of a North-West Passage. Between Continents of Asia and America

ELLIS William.

Published by Printed for G. Robinson; J.Sewell, J. Debtett., 1782

About this Item

Including a Faithful Account of all Their Discoveries, and the Unfortunate Death of Captain Cook. Two Volumes. 8vo. vol. I: [x] 358 [1],; vol. II: [viii], 347. with the half-titles, folding Chart showing the Tracks and Discoveries in the Pacific Ocean, [later?] and 21 engraved plates, views of the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and the Northwest, portraits of islanders. "The fine plates are among the earliest published on the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and the Northwest" (Hill, 95). contemporary rebacked calf. FIRST EDITION OF A RARE UNAUTHORIZED ACCOUNT OF COOK'S LAST VOYAGE by the surgeon's mate (not assistant surgeon, as claimed on the title-pages), on both Discovery and Resolution, published two years before the official account. Although Ellis was not an eyewitness to Cook's death (nor were Rickman, Ledyard or Zimmermann), Beaglehole writes in his edition of the voyages that "the most reliable tradition, on the Hawaii side, is probably that incorporated in Ellis's narrative." Returning to England and in financially-strained circumstances, Ellis sold hisNarrative to a bookseller for fifty guineas. By publishing it in contravention of the instruction to surrender all logs and journals to the Admiralty, he ruined any prospects he had in the Navy. Banks responded to his publication by saying, "I fear it will not in the future be in my power to do what it might have been had you asked and followed my advice." "Ellis was also a talented artist and his album of natural history drawings 'is a highly valuable record, a complement to Webber" (Beaglehole), and the plates in his narrative are some of the earliest views to depict Hawaii and Alaska. Beddie 1599; Forbes 41; Hill 555; Holmes 42; Sabin 22333; Lada-Mocarski 35; Mitchell Library Cook 1599. Excellent set, occasional light spotting /soiling. Scarce First Edition.

Seller Inventory # 678

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's Ships Resolution and Discovery, during the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780; in search of a North-West Passage. Between Continents of Asia and America
• Publisher: Printed for G. Robinson; J.Sewell, J. Debtett.
• Publication Date: 1782
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good