[RICKMAN, John]

Journal of Captain Cook's last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, on Discovery; performed in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779 ... Faithfully Narrated from the original MS

Dublin: Messrs. Price, Whitestone, [etc.], 1781. Octavo. (8 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches). [4], xlvii, [1], 396pp. Engraved frontispiece and four plates, 1 folding engraved map.

Contemporary calf, expertly rebacked to style, flat spine ruled in gilt, red morocco lettering piece

The first Dublin edition of the first published account of Cook's last voyage: a work which preceded the publication of the official account by three years.

The first edition of this work was published in London in 1781; a second London edition, with corrections, was published in the same year. The present Dublin edition, also published in 1781, is a reprint of the second London edition, with four of the plates (the frontispiece of the death of Capt. Cook; "Omai's Public Entry on his first landing at Otaheite," "Ounalaschkan Chief" and "Representation of the Heiva at Otaheite") being reverse images of those in the London edition, while the plate of "Omai's Double Canoe, and the Ships approaching Hueheine" is included here in place of the image "The Ships Approaching York Island" found in the London editions. Rickman accompanied Cook's voyage aboard the 'Discovery' until his transfer to the 'Resolution' in 1777. Of the London edition, Hill notes: "This anonymous journal, of Captain Cook's third voyage, was once believed to have been written by John Ledyard, who had actually made liberal use of Lieutenant Rickman's account; hence the confusion. This narrative anticipated the government's authorized account by two years. All the journals kept on board were claimed by the Admiralty, thus the author remained strictly anonymous. The text, especially as regards details of Cook's death, differs considerably from other accounts." This Dublin edition is not in Hill.

Beaglehole I, pp.ccv-ccvi; Beddie 1608; Davidson, p.64; Forbes 36; Holmes 38 (ref); Howes R276, "aa."; Kroepelien 1078; O'Reilly & Reiman 416; Wickersham 6555a.

Item #30273

Price: $3,500.00