Cook's First Voyage, 1st ed.

Heading: (Cook, James, 1st voyage))
Author: Hawkesworth, John
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 Wallis, Captain Cartaret, 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, Esq.
Place Published: London
Publisher:W. Strahan and T. Cadell
Date Published: 1773
Description: 3 volumes. [12], xxxvi, 139, [3], (363)-676; xvi, 410; [vi], (411)-799pp. Illustrated with 51 (of 52) maps, charts and plates, many folding or double-page. (4to) 29x22.5 cm (11½x9"), period marbled calf, old rebacking. First Edition.First edition of the official account of James Cook's first expedition of discovery into the Pacific, detailing his voyage to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus, and his masterful charting of New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, etc. Presented to the world are some of the earliest descriptions and illustrations of the wonders of the Pacific, including Tahiti, the Society Islands, New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, and more. Written by John Hawkesworth from Cook's notes, but in the first person, i.e. the person of Cook. Cook was not happy with the treatment, and following his second voyage insisted on editing his own account of the expedition. The first volume of the present work contains accounts of the voyages of Byron, Wallis and Carteret, the last two relate wholly to Cook. Hill 782; Sabin 30934 ("The first edition, to be preferred for its plates"). Lacks one chart.
Condition Report: Bindings quite worn, boards loose or shaken, gentle toning, plates offsetting and light foxing; very good.