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This extraordinary offering comprises a complete first edition set of Captain James Cook's three voyages, alongside the accompanying atlas. These volumes represent a cornerstone of maritime exploration, cartography, and historical documentation, chronicling Cook's groundbreaking expeditions across the Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. Each voyage, meticulously documented and lavishly illustrated, offers invaluable insights into the 18th-century world, capturing the spirit of discovery and the expansion of European knowledge. I. Hawkesworth, John (Editor). An Account of the Voyages… (Cook's First Voyage) Title: 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 Carteret, Captain Wallis, and Captain Cook. Editor: John Hawkesworth. Edition: First Edition, 1773. Description (Volume One): This three-volume set documents the official accounts of the voyages led by Byron, Wallis, Carteret, and, most notably, Captain James Cook in HMS Endeavour. Cook's first voyage, the centerpiece of this publication, dramatically expanded European understanding of the Southern Hemisphere and the Pacific. Key features include a striking engraved frontispiece portrait of Cook by J.K. Sherwin after N. Dance Holland, 25 (mostly folding) maps and charts, and 27 folding plates. Notably, this first edition includes the crucial "Chart of the Straits of Magellan" in Volume I, often missing from early copies. Hawkesworth's editorial role was to elevate the raw expedition journals into a polished narrative, reflecting the prestige and importance of these British maritime endeavors. Provenance: Castle Goring. II. Cook, James. A Voyage Towards the South Pole… (Cook's Second Voyage) Title: A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Performed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure. Edition: First Edition, 1777. Description (Volume Two): This two-volume set recounts Cook s groundbreaking expedition to circumnavigate the globe as far south as possible, aiming to find Terra Australis. Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time, dispelling the myth of a large southern continent. Discoveries included Easter Island, Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Marquesas, New Caledonia, and South Georgia. Complete with all 64 plates, including maps, charts, plans, and fold-out illustrations. Frontispiece portrait of Cook, and a fold-out map has been repaired at the original fold line. III. Cook, James, and King, James. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean… (Cook's Third Voyage) Title: A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Undertaken by Command of His Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Edition: First Edition, 1784. Description (Volume Three): This three-volume set chronicles Cook s final voyage, aimed at determining the extent of North America's west coast and the feasibility of a northern passage. Despite Cook s death in Hawaii, this voyage significantly expanded knowledge of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic regions. Includes 24 engraved maps and plans, many folding, detailing geographic discoveries. Occasional offsetting and toning. Webber (John) et al. Atlas to A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Description (Atlas): Rare 1784 folio atlas for Cook's third voyage. Features 61 engraved plates and 2 maps.
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