3 volumes. [12], xxvi, [6], (3)-139, [3], (363)-676; xv, [1], 410; [vi], (411)-799 pp. 52 maps, charts and plates, many folding or double-page. (4to) 29.2x23 cm. (11½x9"), modern red cloth, spines lettered in gilt, earlier marbled free endpapers bound in. First Edition.
First edition of the official account of James Cook's first expedition of discovery into the Pacific, detailing his voyage to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus, and his masterful charting of New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, etc. Presented to the world are some of the earliest descriptions and illustrations of the wonders of the Pacific, including Tahiti, the Society Islands, New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, and more. Written by John Hawkesworth from Cook's notes, but in the first person, i.e. the person of Cook. Cook was not happy with the treatment, and following his second voyage insisted on editing his own account of the expedition. The first volume of the present work contains accounts of the voyages of Byron, Wallis and Carteret, the last two relate wholly to Cook. Hill 782; Sabin 30934 ("The first edition, to be preferred for its plates").
Condition:
Some light wear and soiling to cloth, early owner's name on title pages; extensive worm tunneling to approximately 65 pages of Volume 1, some lesser tunneling elsewhere in this volume and in Volume 2; approximately 14 of the plates have evidence of tunneling ranging from a small single hole to a longer cut-like tunnel; some foxing and offsetting; the plates unaffected by worming very good or better.