A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World. Performed in H.M.S. the Resolution and Adventure in the Years 1772, 73, 74 & 1775.
London: W. Strahan & T. Cadell, 1777. Second edition, which is unchanged from the first edition of the same year. Hardcover. The official account of Cook's second voyage and the only account of any of his voyages written by Cook himself, a wide margined copy. The main objective of the 2nd voyage was to circumnavigate the world as far south as possible in search of the Great Southern Land. In doing so, the Resolution & Adventure became the first ships to cross the Antarctic circle, in January 1773.
Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle twice more and achieved the 71 degrees S, a record that was to last for 50 years. On this voyage Cook pioneered the use of sauerkraut as a dietary supplement to prevent scurvy. He succeeded, losing only four of his 112 man crew and none from scurvy. This was regarded as a great maritime feat on its own.
During this voyage, Cook played his part in furthering the great longitude debate. An accurate way to determine longitude had long been a goal of all seafaring nations. English clock maker John Harrison was a mechanical genius who invented a clock that would carry the true time from home port, thereby enabling the calculation of the ships' longitude. Cook carried four watches with him, the principal one named "K-1," which he frequently complimented in the log of the Resolution, calling it "our trusty friend the Watch," and "our never failing guide, the Watch." With its help, he made the firsthand highly accurate charts of many newly discovered South Pacific islands.
4to (28.5 cms high), 2 volumes, a wide margined copy COMPLETE with 64 engraved plates and maps. Volume I, 378pp, including engraved frontispiece of Cook, two folding maps and 34 engraved plates; Volume II, 396pp including 3 folding maps and 24 engraved plates. Bound in period calf boards, front and rear boards detached, spines perished, some plates with foxing. Five plates have insect damage to the plates. Vol I p307 has a 1" hole into the plate "Resolution Bay; Marquesas" on the center fold; p.344 a 3" hole in the center fold of "Draft Plan Section of the Britannia Otehite (sic)..." (Otaheite war canoe, plate xv); Vol II p46, Erramanga (sic), an oblong hole in the center fold for 3 1/2", (plate lxiii); p210, South Atlantic map, thin damage along centerfold 12"; p. 223 large hole in margin of South Georgia (plate xxxiv). Bookplate tipped inside front boards; early fascicles loose but present.
A sound reference copy for a student of the Antarctic and James Cook. Item #26150
Price: $2,000.00