Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, on Discovery;
performed in the years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, illustrated with cuts, and a chart, shewing the tracts of the ships employed in this expedition. Faithfully narrated from the original MS.
Dublin: Printed for Messrs. Price, Whitestone, Chamberlain et al., 1781 Stock Code: 147063
First Dublin edition of the "first full account in English of Cook's third voyage, published anonymously to avoid legal action by the Admiralty" (Forbes), a reprint of the second, corrected, London edition published by Newbery in the same year.
John Rickman was a second lieutenant aboard the Discovery, being discharged to the Resolution on August 23, 1779. While at China, Captain King, under orders from the Admiralty, took possession of and sealed all logs, journals, maps, and drawings in order to prevent the publication of such works as the present account, an action that Rickman describes on page 382. Despite this Rickman "was somehow able to secretly retain a copy of his journal, which formed the basis of this text. It provides an important supplement to the official account of the third voyage published in 1784" (ibid.).
Description
Octavo (206 x 122 mm). Rebacked, original spine laid down, corners and top edge of front board renewed, titles in gilt to red morocco label to spine.
Illustrations
With 4 pp. adverts at front. Frontispiece of the death of Cook, folding map of the voyage, and 4 engraved plates (all reversed from the London edition).
Condition
Rubbing to extremities, small scuffs and nicks to leather, neat tissue reinforcement to inner hinges, folding map skilfully repaired, light soiling and foxing to contents; a very good copy.
Bibliography
Beddie 1608; Forbes 36; Hill 1453; Holmes 53; Howes 276; Streeter 3474.
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