- 304
Cook, Captain James--Ledyard, John
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- A Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and in Quest of a North-West Passage, between Asia & America. Hartford [Connecticut]: Nathaniel Patten, 1783
- Paper
FIRST EDITION, 8vo (176 x 117mm.), [vi], 7-208pp., contemporary unlettered sheep, without the chart as in almost all copies, some browning and staining, small hole in p.99/100 affecting a few letters, loss to lower right corner of upper cover
Provenance
Benj[amin] Wallace, early ownership signature on title
Literature
BCJC 1603; Forbes 52; Hill (2004) 991; Holmes 45; Howes L181; Lada-Mocarski 36; Sabin 39691; Streeter VI, 3477
Condition
"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
'VERY RARE' (Sabin). THE FIRST AMERICAN ACCOUNT OF COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE, WHICH PRECEDED PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL (LONDON) ACCOUNT BY MORE THAN A YEAR. The first American book on the Northwest coast, and probably the first American book on Hawaii.
"Ledyard is an important figure in the history of American contacts in the South Seas. Not only was he the first New Englander in the Pacific, but... was with [Cook] when Hawaii was discovered. Ledyard visualized in the minutest detail how the northwest coast-China trade should be carried out, and his ideas and enthusiasm undoubtedly influenced the eventual development of that important trade. [His] narrative includes a detailed account of the death of Cook, distinguished by its evident authenticity" (Hill), and preceded the official account by a year. It is often claimed that "many sections show unblushing theft from John Rickman's account published at London in 1781" (Howes).
"Ledyard is an important figure in the history of American contacts in the South Seas. Not only was he the first New Englander in the Pacific, but... was with [Cook] when Hawaii was discovered. Ledyard visualized in the minutest detail how the northwest coast-China trade should be carried out, and his ideas and enthusiasm undoubtedly influenced the eventual development of that important trade. [His] narrative includes a detailed account of the death of Cook, distinguished by its evident authenticity" (Hill), and preceded the official account by a year. It is often claimed that "many sections show unblushing theft from John Rickman's account published at London in 1781" (Howes).