Beschreibung:

Cook, James; John Hawkesworth; James King Superb collection of the official accounts of Cook's first, second and third voyages, uncut, in original blue-gray publisher's boards, all in uniform half-morocco drop-boxes, as follows: Hawkesworth, John. An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the order of His present Majesty for making discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere. London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1773 3 volumes, 4to (12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in.; 310 x 245 mm, uncut). 52 plates maps and charts; 4 plates partially browned, 1 map bound upside down), quire 4M with marginal soiling and printer's finger smudges. First edition, second issue, containing the "Chart of the Straight of Magellan" and the "Directions for Placing the Cuts and Charts" not found in the first issue. The official account of the first voyage prepared by Hawkesworth, also containing narratives of Byron, Wallis and Carteret. With: Cook, James. A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World. Performed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure in the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775. London: Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1777 2 volumes, (12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in.; 310 x 245 mm, uncut). 64 plates, maps, charts and a folding table; a few small marginal spots, some contemporary manuscript marginal indications for placement of plates. First edition. Cook's account of his second voyage prepared for the press by Dr. John Douglas while Cook was on his third (and last) voyage. With: Cook, James & James King A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, by Command of His Majesty, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. London: Printed by W. & A. Strahan for G. Nicol and T. Cadell, 1784 3 volumes, (12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in.; 310 x 245 mm, uncut), plus Atlas volume (23 1/4 x 17 in.; 590 x 432 mm, uncut). 24 plates, maps and charts, Atlas with 64 plates including the "Death of Cook," publisher's advertisement on last leaf; some marginal spotting. All 9 volumes in original publisher's blue-gray boards, manuscript paper spine labels, in half-morocco drop-boxes; most volumes skillfully rebacked, others with joints cracked. First edition, the first official narrative of Cook's final voyage, including the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. James King was selected to write about Cook's death and the return voyage to England, which constitutes the the third volume. This copy contains the rare "Death of Cook" plate which was inserted into some copies after publication. A handsome copy in extraordinary original condition with the freshest impression of the plates. We find no record of another copy in originalboards.