The Beauties of Nature and Art Displayed in a Tour Through the World...
London: G. Robinson, 1775. 2nd edition (greatly improved). Hardcover. Extremely early account of Cook's 2nd Voyage, rivaling Marra. The three volumes that include Cook's Voyages. An armchair traveler of the day, reviewing the countries of Europe, America, Africa, etc. The most interesting content occurs in these last three volumes of the original set of 13, which cover Cook's first and second voyages. The text regarding the second voyage is one of the earliest published accounts of the voyage, as it was published in 1775. Cook had only just returned from the voyage on 31st July of that year. The publishing date coincides with the release the same year of the unofficial account published by the gunner's mate John Marra. Marra's account was written and published anonymously sometime between August and December 1775. Marra finally admitted to writing the anonymous account in December 1775, and thence started publishing extracts under his own name. No author is attributed to the account in this set. Volume 11 covers Cook's first voyage 1768-71 (48pp), Byron's voyage 1764-6 (80pp); Wallis voyage 1766-8 (50pp); Carteret 1766-9 (29pp). Volume 12 continues Cook's first voyage (216pp, 4 copperplate engravings). Volume 13 includes 62pp on the 1st voyage with a plate of a kangaroo - the 2nd voyage (pp63-216) includes 2 engravings of icebergs and ice mountains. The inclusion of the account at the end of the last volume seems to indicate that it was included in the last instance before publication. Volumes XI, XII and XIII only of the 13 volume set, which pertain to Captain Cook's first and second voyages. Large 12mo. Original calf boards, sympathetically rebacked using the original labels. Corners lt. rubbed, o/w very good condition. Vol. 11, 215pp, 2 plts; Vol. 12, 216pp, 4 plts; Vol. 13, 216pp, 3 plts. Item #14366
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