London: Strahan & Cadell, 1773. Edition: First edition, Binding: Contemporary full speckled tan calf, rebacked superbly matching the speckled tan boards and saving original title labels, spine in seven compartments of raised gilt bands and densely-gilt compartments, red and green morocco labels on two and three respectively, gilt-tooled board edges, endpapers marbled. , Notes: “The first voyage under the not-yet famous Captain Cook’s command, on the Endeavour, was primarily of a scientific nature…Entering the Pacific around Cape Horn, Cook reached Tahiti in 1769 and carried out the necessary astronomical observations…Leaving Tahiti in July, Cook discovered, named, and charted the Society Islands, and then heading southwest, explored New Zealand…Cook then headed towards Australia and discovered and charted the eastern coast for 2000 miles, naming the New South Wales. He nearly lost his ship on the Great Barrier Reef. Both Australia and New Zealand were annexed by Britain as a result of this voyage, which began in 1768 and ended in 1771. Cook had charted upwards of 5000 miles of coastline under great difficulties. Cook’s discoveries won him prominence, promotion, and the opportunity to sail again…Hawksworth, an eminent London author, was chosen by Lord Sandwich and commissioned by the Admiralty to prepare these narratives for publication. Hawkesworth had succeeded Dr. Samuel Johnson as the editor of the Gentleman’s Magazine, and with him had founded The Adventure. He had also edited the work of Jonathan Swift.” (Hill), Size: 4to, Illustration: Complete with all 52 plates and charts, including the “Chart of the Strait of Magellan” and the directions for placing the cuts., Volume: Three Volumes, References: Hill 782; Beddie 648; Sabin 30934., Pages: P. Volume 1. (6), title, blank, dedication (3), contents (6), introduction i-xxi, blank, glossary xxiii-xxxiv, directions for placing the cuts xxxvi-xxxvi, half-title, blank, 3-139, blank, half-title, blank, 363-632, 641-648, 633-640, 649-676, (6); Volume 2. (6), title, blank, contents (5), blank, half-title, blank, introduction xi-xv, errata, 1-410, (6); Volume 3. (6), title, blank, contents (4), 411-799, blank, (6)., Category: Book Voyages General; Book Pacific. Minor tears in the charts of Magellan’s Strait and of New Zealand, and in the plates “No. 6”, “No. 21”, and “No. 22”, all professionally repaired. In Volume 1, pp. 139 is marked as “139-360” after which the pagination jumps to pp. 363 (with no loss). The gathering “4 N” (pp. 641-648) is misbound, having been placed before “4 M” (pp. 633-640), but there is no loss. In Volume 3, pp. 189 is marked as “191” with no loss. A fine set of this rare first edition of Cook’s first voyage. Text and plates are clean and crisp, and bound in full contemporary gilt decorative calf. Item #B3354

Price: $12,500.00