Cook, Captain James--[Magra (later Matra), James]

FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, 4to (276 x 213mm.), [ii], ii, 130, [iv] pp., dedication leaf, contemporary half calf, red label, marbled boards, joints worn

BCJC 693; Hill (2004) 1066; Holmes 3

A good 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."

THE FIRST PUBLISHED ACCOUNT OF COOK'S FIRST VOYAGE TO THE PACIFIC AND THE FIRST TO DESCRIBE THE DISCOVERY OF THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA. THE RARE FIRST ISSUE WITH THE DEDICATION LEAF. THE CORNERSTONE OF ANY COOK COLLECTION.

The earliest of a series of so-called 'surreptitious' accounts of Cook's voyages published anonymously less than three months after the Endeavour returned and almost two years before Hawkesworth's official account. The dedication leaf, printed separately from the rest of the text, to the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Banks and Dr Daniel Solander implied their approval and gave this work the appearance of authority, however the Admiralty, Banks and Solander immediately published an advertisement denying all knowledge of this work and the dedication was quickly removed; the result being that very few copies exist with this suppressed leaf.

The authorship has not been conclusively proved, but James Magra is the most likely candidate, who was an American-born midshipman on the Endeavour, whose important proposals twelve years later for the establishment of a colony in New South Wales were supported by Sir Joseph Banks. Magra's authorship was first suggested by Beaglehole and recent scholarship by Alan Frost has given additional weight to this attribution.