Captain Cook's Voyages Round The World - Includes 3 Volumes (of 4)
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Volume 1
Includes "Life Of Captain Cook by Captain King" + "Inscription To The Memory Of Captain Cook" + "Nautical Terms" + "Captain Cooks First Voyage 1768 - 1771" - Covers Pages 1 to 512 - Includes Frontis + 6 Plates.
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Volume 2
(Volume One Part Two) Includes "Captain Cooks First Voyage 1768 - 1771" + "Captain Cooks Second Voyage 1772 - 1775" - Covers Pages 513 to 1022 - Includes 3 Plates.
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Volume 3
(Volume Two Part One) Includes
"Captain Cooks Third Voyage 1776 - 1780" - Covers Pages 1 to 530 - Includes 25 Plates
By Captain Cook
Printed by M. Brown: Newcastle
1790
1st Edition
Illustrated with 34 Plates + Frontis, Probable Early 20th Century Rebind - Lacks 4th Volume Otherwise Complete - A 1790 Edition Rare In Any Form.
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A highly desirable late 18th century printing of Captain Cook's Voyages Round the World, this substantial three-volume set (of four) represents one of the most influential and widely read accounts of Pacific exploration ever published. Printed in Newcastle by M. Brown in 1790, this edition compiles the remarkable journeys of Captain James Cook across his three great voyages, documenting his expeditions through the Pacific, the charting of New Zealand, and—most significantly—the European discovery and mapping of the east coast of Australia during the first voyage of 1768-1771.
Volume I is particularly rich, opening with a biographical "Life of Captain Cook" by Captain King, followed by commemorative material and nautical terminology, before presenting the full narrative of Cook's first voyage. Volume II continues this account and transitions into the second voyage (1772-1775), while Volume III is devoted to the dramatic and ultimately fatal third voyage (1776-1780). The text is accompanied by a total of 34 engraved plates plus frontispiece, depicting coastal views, indigenous peoples, and key scenes encountered during the expeditions. These engravings—such as the striking coastal and Pacific island views—add both visual appeal and historical depth, reflecting the period's fascination with newly encountered lands and cultures.
The set is bound in a probable early 20th-century full leather rebinding, presenting attractively on the shelf with uniform spines and contrasting title labels. The text blocks are complete for the three volumes present, covering pages 1-1022 across Volumes I and II, and 1-530 in Volume III. Internally, the books display typical age-related toning, and occasional staining as shown, yet remain sound and highly readable. Importantly, the engraved plates appear substantially complete as described, and the overall integrity of the set is strong despite the absence of the fourth volume.
Examples of this 1790 Newcastle edition are scarce in any form, and even incomplete sets such as this are keenly sought after due to their historical significance and early date. As a near-complete representation of one of the foundational works of Pacific exploration literature—covering Cook's voyages that reshaped European understanding of the southern hemisphere—this set holds considerable appeal for collectors of maritime history, Australiana, and 18th-century travel literature.
A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial and visually impressive early edition set of Cook's Voyages, seldom encountered in any form, offered here lacking the fourth volume.
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Probable early 20th century rebind with multiple blank endpapers. Binding condition is excellent throughout with firm covers and no loose pages. Illustrated with 34 Plates + Frontis. Pages are clean with pleasant age toning and occasional staining. An important and highly desirable publication, these 3 volumes are in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
