A superb set of Cook's Second Voyage. 2 Vols. 4to. 376pp. and 396pp. Contemporary calf expertly rebacked in matching calf with new marbled endpapers (probably 19th. century). The spine has 5 bands creating six compartments with gold titling and decoration. All page edges marbled. Complete with engraved portrait frontispiece and 63 plates, charts and portraits, many folding.
First edition of Cook's second voyage on which he was directed to circumnavigate the globe as far south as possible to search for any southern continent. Cook earned his place in history by opening up the Pacific to western civilization and by the foundation of British Australia. The world was given for the first time an essentially complete knowledge of the Pacific Ocean and Australia, and Cook proved once and for all that there was no great southern continent, as had always been believed.
This is a very sharp clean superior copy without any tears or repairs. The wonderful engraved plates are all bright and attractive. The set is virtually free of foxing, but there is some offsetting from the plates on to the adjacent pages. The contemporary calf boards are somewhat rubbed. There is an armorial bookplate on the front pastedowns of one Thomas Somers Cocks. An early inscription of a blank flyleaf of Vol.1 documents the passing ownership of this work through several generations from one Elizabeth Cocks to the Thomas Cocks whose bookplate is referred to above. Please note that this lot is heavy and will require Courier shipping.
- Binding Condition: Very Good
- Overall Condition: Very Good
- Size: 4to.
- Sold By: Ronald Levine - Modern First Editions
- Contact Person: Ronald Levine
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 011643 8437
- Preferred Payment Methods: EFT for South African customers and International Bank Tranfer for customers abroad. I am unable to accept payment by credit card.
- Trade Associations: SABDA
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