A very rare original 18th century copper engraving, illustrating the voyages of Capitan James Cook
James Cook (1728-1779) was a British naval admiral, navigator and explorer who sailed the seaways and cost of Canada and conducted three expedition to the Pacific Ocean.
His first voyage was aboard HMS Endeavor from 1768 to 1771, visiting Tahiti, the cost of New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia.
The second voyage, 1772-1775, with Resolution and Adventure circumnavigated the globe further south and his ships were the first to cross the Antarctic Circle, visiting again New Zealand, Tahiti & Tonga among other pacific islands, some newly discovered.
His third and last voyage 1776-1780 with Resolution and Discovery added more remote islands to the list of visited for first time by Europeans, including the Hawaiian islands.
Cook has set new standards of thoroughness in discovery and seamanship, in navigation, cartography and the care of man at sea, in relations with indigenous people both friendly and hostile, and the application of science at sea. He had peacefully changed the map of the world more than any other single man in history. (reference: Brittanica)
The presented here copper engraving is illustrating the third voyage, as labeled on verso. It is titled "A FIATOOKA OR MORAI in TONGATABOO", and depicts fiatooka or the Royal Langi (burial mounds) in the village of Mua on the main Tongan Island of Tongatapu, as seen by the expedition in 1777 and recorded in Cook's journal.

The artist who made the sketches from nature is John WEBBER (British, 1751-1793). He accompanied Cook on his third voyage. The copper plate was engraved by William Ellis (1747-1810), a famous English engraver and painter
It is a first edition engraving from "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, by the Command of his Majesty, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere to determine The Position and Extent of the West Side of North America; its Distance from Asia; and the Practicability of a Northern Passage to Europe . . . In Three Volumes. Vol I and II written by Captain James Cook, F.R.S. Vol. III by Captain James King, LL.D. and F.R.S., published in London, 1784

It comes with matting

Measurements: Approx. 26" x 14.5" the sheet; 16" x 10.2" the plate; 15" x 8.9" the scene
Condition: Very Good overall. Please see photos. Very minor foxing, considering its age. All original.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Very Good overall. Please see photos. Very minor foxing, considering its age. All original.

Origin:
United Kingdom

Materials & Techniques:
Engraving, Paper

Details:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Frame Type: Unframed
Art Subjects: Botanic, Landscape

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Very Good overall. Please see photos. Very minor foxing, considering its age. All original.