De Magellan, John Hyacinth.

ALS referring to Captain Cook.

1785. January 3, 1785 letter to "Sir", signed "John Hyacinth de Magellan" regarding "the supposed present of Capt. Cook's Voyage from the Admiralty of Imperial Acady. at Petersburg". The Portuguese author of the letter gained fame through his scientific and philosophical work; he moved to London in 1763, and made trips to the continent, meeting Alessandro Volta, Antoine Lavoisier, and Benjamin Franklin. The letter is dated 1785, six years following the death of Cook in Hawaii. Charles Clerke carried on with the expedition after Cook's death, and traveled to St. Petersburg, where the news of Cook's demise was spread by the sailors. 16.5 x 20cm, very good condition. Item #14406

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