Troisieme Voyage de Captain Cook, ou Voyage A L'Ocean Pacifique, Ordonne Par le Roi D'Angleterre; Pour faire des Descouvertes dans l'Hemisphere Nord, pour determiner la position et l'etendue de la Cote Ouest de l'Amerique Septentrionale, sa distance de l'Asie, et resoudre la question du Passage du Nord. Execute sous la direction des Capitaines Cook, Clerke, et Gore, sur les Vaisseaux la Resolution et la Decouverte, en 1776-1780. Paris: Hotel de Thou, 1785, 8vo. [Together with] Cartes et Figures du Troisieme Voyage de Cook. Paris: Hôtel de Thou, 1785, 4to.
The Third Voyage of Captain Cook, or A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Commissioned by the King of England; To make discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere, to determine the position and extent of the West Coast of North America, its distance from Asia, and to resolve the question of the Northwest Passage. Carried out under the command of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, aboard the ships Resolution and Discovery, in 1776–1780. Paris: Hôtel de Thou, 1785, 8vo. [Together with] Maps and Plates of the Third Voyage of Cook. Paris: Hôtel de Thou, 1785, 4to.
THE RARE FIRST FRENCH EDITION OF CAPTAIN COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE IN EIGHT OCTAVO VOLUMES COMPLETE WITH THE SCARCE ATLAS IN THE EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL BLUE BOARDS.
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An excellent copy in uniform contemporary French bindings of the first edition of Cook's third voyage in French. It was in this voyage that Cook discovered Hawaii where he was later killed. Notably, William Bligh accompanied Cook on this voyage. Our set includes the scarce quarto Atlas volume in the extremely rare original blue boards, all volumes collate as complete and the Atlas volume is additionally complete with all 88 maps/charts/illustrations. The only copy of the Atlas we can trace to have sold in the original boards was over 20 years ago at Christie's 17th June 2003 lot 287 where it sold for $2,868 (approx. $5,000 adjusted for inflation). This was for only the Atlas and not the whole set which we present for sale here. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire almost certainly the greatest obtainable copy of this edition with the main set in very attractive contemporary bindings (probably original) and the Atlas in the original boards. A genuine rarity and a gem in any travel collection.
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Size: 130 x 202 mm (approx., each)
Size: 234 x 292 mm (approx., Atlas volume)
Condition:
Main set:
[(1), h.t., t.p., a-m8, n1, A-Z8, 2A8, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-X8, Y4, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-Y8, Z4, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-X8, Y2, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-Z8, Aa2, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-Z8, Aa-Dd8, Ee4, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-Z8, Aa-Ee8, Ff6, Gg4, (1)]; [(1), h.t., t.p., A-T8, a-d8, foldout, e-f8, g6, (1)]
All volumes collate as complete including all half titles and the tables bound in at the rear of each volume which are often lacking, here present, as well as the usually lacking large foldout in the Appendix bound opposite pp.64 in volume eight.
Uniform contemporary full marbled calf bindings, spines decorated in gilt with tooled labels laid down. Bindings are almost certainly the originals for this set. All boards securely attached, bindings secure, no shelf lean. Attractive on the shelf. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions, a few small light pencil inscriptions on blanks as often. Occasional sporadic spotting, most in the second volume, mild toning, else largely bright and clean throughout the volumes. An exceptional set.
Atlas volume:
Collated as complete with 88 engraved plates. Original blue paper boards, paper label to spine, leaves uncut. Binding a little rubbed, but attractive and very well preserved. Extremely rare in original boards. Both boards securely attached, binding secure. Vertically stable on the shelf. Letterpress title, privilege leaf, the unnumbered plate for the Death of Captain Cook plus 87 engraved plates (total of 88), many of which are double page or folding, including the huge foldout map (plate 1) as well as of course many other maps. Plate 51 misnumbered 52 as printed. Many of the plates are misbound in order (as typical in original paper boards), but all numbered 1-87 are present as is the one unnumbered plate. Some dampstaining and toning to plates.
