1783 First Edtn Genuine A Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage John Ledyard G-

Description: This is an extremely rare fist edition copy of A Journal of Captain Cooks Last Voyage by John Ledyard but with issues: no map, last 4 pages missing, with facsimile pages loosely inserted. The first American travel book and the first book ever to be copyrighted in America. A piece of American history. A Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and in Quest of a North-West Passage, between Asia & America; Performed in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778 and 1779 Ledyard, John Published by Hartford, printed and sold by Nathaniel Patten 1783 First Edition [1-7],208 pp. Octavo (17 X 12.5 cm.) 255 gm. In the original full contemporary calf with original spine label. Corners are worn and bumped. Boards are mottled. Front board is detached. Original pastedown with contemporary, or near, ink writing stating : Isaac (J?) Hotchkiss ‘s book New Haven ( so a Connecticut connection here) and evidence of a removed pastedown label. There is a ‘C’ on both endpapers and also to page 16. Our low quality facsimile of the very rare folding map loosely inserted as a frontispiece. All three copies currently listing on internet are also lacking the original map, and are above £12,000.00. His journal is of special value in that it is a narrative of the only American who accompanied Captain Cook on his last voyage, which included several visits to Alaska. The book is extremely rare, and the map is even rarer as it is believed early copies of the book did not have a map bound in. Christie’s sold the first copy containing a genuine map since 1969 in Dec 2008 for $52,500 and Bonhams sold a copy without the map in June 2013 for £9,375 and Bonhams Skinner sold a copy with the map in October 2023 for $127,500 The map is a close copy of the one appearing in John Rickman's journal (1781), though here the title is surrounded in a cartouche and there are many differences in spelling. Forbes notes, in relation to the map's rarity, that "The wrapper title of Part I does not mention its presence (although the main title does). Due to the erratic nature of American printing of the period, it may well be that the map was not produced until the work was well under way, or that it cost extra to purchasers, as some copies examined show no evidence that it was ever present. In the American Antiquarian Society copy, the map is bound on a stub at page 161 (the beginning of part III [and intriguingly the text leaf that is here lacking]). This appears to be added evidence that the map did not appear until the last part of the publication was issued." Our copy is lacking the map, and also the last two leaves, but is in the original boards. Originally issued in two parts in June and July 1783. This copy is bound from the two parts, and exhibits stab-marks in signatures A-K (part I), varying stab-marks and none in V to the end (part II); Text is evenly toned with some areas showing more staining and browning. The paper is still supple and flexible. Overall a good only copy, but with issues, of a book hard to ever find in very good condition. PLEASE NOTE: The last 4 pages have been torn, and are replaced with facsimile pages. There is no map. This is the Narrative of the only American to accompany Captain Cook on his last voyage. It is one of the rarest titles related to Captain Cook's Voyage. Ledyard was with Captain Cook when Hawaii was discovered and contains a very early account of the "Death of Cook." The very rare map is missing as in most copies, with this volume containing a very poor quality facsimile loosely inserted, however copies in the original binding and spine label are very rare as most have been rebound, so this in its original boards is a very rare and a remarkable survival. The first American account of Captain James Cook's third voyage; it preceded the official publication by more than a year. Ledyard joined Cook's final voyage as a marine. He was one of several Americans on the voyage, but the only one to publish an account. All hands had been ordered to turn over any journals, other writings or charts, under threat of severe punishment. Ledyard consulted John Rickman's narrative but included details of the voyage which that account did not include. He was the first New Englander to visit the Pacific, and his book was the first work by an American to be published under copyright. 208 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. First edition (lacking the map as in almost all copies). 208 [last 4 facsimile] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Rare. "This is not only the first American book on the Northwest Coast, but also the first description of the Hawaiian Islands by an American. Ledyard is distinguished in many respects, he was the only American to sail on Cook's third voyage which explored Alaska and discovered Hawaii. He was also in the boat that carried Cook ashore on the morning of his death. Indeed this work contains a detailed account of Cook's death "distinguished by its evident authority" (Hill). The purpose of Cook's third voyage was two-fold. Ostensibly, it was to return Omai to his homeland in French Polynesia, but the main purpose was to search for the Northwest Passage. The Resolution and Discovery departed Plymouth in 1776 and made their way via the Cape to New Zealand and Tahiti. It was from there that Cook discovered Hawaii, which he regarded as his greatest achievement. The boats then proceeded to the Pacific Northwest and commenced their search for a route to the Atlantic. They returned to Hawaii for the winter of 1778-9. Their initial warm welcome soon wore off and tensions between the Hawaiians and the British resulted in Cook being killed on the shore of Kealakekua Bay on February 14, 1779. Charles Clerke assumed command of the expedition and proceeded north once again to pursue the voyage's objective. The two ships returned to England in 1780. Although a Connecticut native, after the voyage Ledyard remained in England until 1782 when he was posted to the North American station - the Revolutionary War was ongoing. He promptly deserted and returned to Hartford where this account was published. This work preceded Rickman's by a matter of months, though in fact Ledyard made "liberal use of [the first English edition of] Rickman's account in his own narrative" [ We also have a contemporaneous volume of 25 of Cook’s maps , probably from Rickman’s Dublin account of 1784 as the main map, a general chart exhibiting the discoveries made by Captain Cook in this and his two preceding voyages with the tracks of the ships under his command by Lieutenant Henry Roberts of his Majesty’s Royal Navy was published by United Company of Booksellers Christopher and George Byrne, and is in fact the first complete map of the world. ] Please refer to photos which form part of the description and good luck. Postage is at cost and includes insurance and tracking and we do combine postage. Thank you for viewing

Price: 1950 GBP

Location: Bishop's Stortford

End Time: 2024-11-27T13:18:38.000Z

Shipping Cost: 166.11 GBP