4 vols. viii, [v]-xii, 370; xii, 359; xii, 400; xii, 310, [blank leaf], [62] + [6] ad pp. With 47 (of 49) copper-engraved plates including frontispiece in Vol. I, (and 1 folding plate in Vol. III); 2 folding charts. (8vo) 8x5, period marbled boards, rebacked in later calf, spines ruled & numbered in modern gilt, morocco labels. First Octavo Edition.
Octavo edition of the official account of Cook's fateful third voyage, a search for the Northwest Passage, during which he was clubbed and stabbed to death by the once friendly natives of Hawaii. The excellent plates including a folding copper engraving of "The Death of Captain James Cook, F.R.S. at Owhyhee in MDCCLXXIX," drawn by D.P. Dodd "& others who were on the spot"; also a folding chart of Hawaii (Owhyhee, the Big Island) and sketch of Karakooa Bay (two approx. 3” tears to lower portion); a large folding chart of the world, with the tracks of Cook's three voyages (with a large tear repaired with white cloth tape and 1” chip); copper-engravings of Pacific islanders, coastal scenes of northwest America and its native residents, various artifacts, etc. Lacking two of the 49 issued plates. Armorial bookplate of William Montgomery on front pastedown of each volume.
Condition:
Rubbing to boards, shelf wear; Vol. I with chips missing to lower front cover marbling including a 2"x2" piece, a large white cloth tape repair to folding chart in Vol. I; Vol. III with a 1" crack to lower front cover corner and tears to the folding chart inside; an index leaf with large tear to bottom edge in Vol. IV, else very good - contents still quite clean, seldom found any better.