TRAVEL & EXPLORATION 82 “The Most Compelling Justification For Cook’s Voyages” 92KIPPIS, Andrew. The Life of Captain James Cook. London, 1788. Quarto, contemporary full diced calf gilt expertly rebacked with original spine laid down. $8500 First edition of the first biography of Captain James Cook, with frontispiece portrait. “This work contains an admirable precis of the three voyages, with valuable information from the original sources. It introduces most of Samwell’s Narrative of Captain Cook’s Death, and also gives accounts of the various tributes to Cook’s memory” (Cox I, 64). “Kippis went further than most writers in transforming Cook’s voyages from scientific missions with a multiplicity of purposes to expeditions motivated wholly by the urge to civilize and improve the world. He was not entirely naïve about the results of Cook’s discoveries, recognizing that many thoughtful observers questioned the value of European contact for Pacific peoples, but concluded that Cook’s humanitarian motives outweighed any possible negative consequences… [Kippis’ Life] became the most compelling justification both for Cook’s voyages and for continued European involvement in the Pacific in years to come” (Withey, 406-7). Beddie 1962. Interior wide-margined and generally quite clean with only occasional light foxing. Contemporary calf gilt very handsome. “One Of The Most Important [Voyages] Ever Made In The Interests Of Geographical Knowledge” 93VANCOUVER, George. A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World. London, 1801. Six volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter calf. $8800 Second edition of this comprehensive survey of the North Pacific, with 17 plates and two folding maps. “This work ranks with the voyages of Cook and La Pérouse among the most important of the 18th and 19th centuries” (Cox II, 30-31). “Vancouver, who had served on Captain Cook’s second and third voyages, was made commander of a grand-scale expedition to reclaim Britain’s rights,... This voyage became one of the most important ever made in the interests of geographical knowledge… In three seasons’ work Vancouver surveyed the coast of California, visited San Francisco and San Diego and other Spanish settlements in Alta California, settled the necessary formalities with the Spanish at Nootka, investigated the Strait of Juan de Fuca, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver Island, and disproved the existence of any passage between the Pacific and Hudson Bay” (Hill, 303-04). Preceded only by the extremely scarce 1798 first edition. Text quite clean, without usual foxing and with only very light, marginal embrowning. A most handsome copy in contemporary calf and boards.
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