- 294
Cook, Captain James--Ellis, William
Estimate
5,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage performed by Captain Cook... in Search of a North-West Passage between the continents of Asia and America. London: G. Robinson, J. Sewell and J. Debrett, 1782
- Paper
FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 8vo (210 x 128mm.), (vol.1) [x], 358pp., [ii pp. list of plates]; (vol.2) [viii], 348pp., half-titles, folding map, 21 engraved plates, contemporary light calf, dark red labels, minor tear in right margin of map
Literature
BCJC 1599; Forbes 41; Hill (2004) 555; Holmes 42; Howes E122; Lada-Mocarski 35; Sabin 22333
Condition
A fine copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
"Clerke in his famous dying letter to Banks commended Ellis [who served as surgeon's mate on Cook's third voyage] to his notice, but Ellis forfeited Banks’ regard by publishing this account of the voyage in contravention of the instruction to surrender all journals and logs” (Holmes). The work contains probably the earliest published account of Cook's death, and preceded the official account by two years. According to Howes this first edition, though dated 1782, was already printed in December 1781. "The fine plates are among the earliest published on the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and the Northwest" (Hill).