The Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour, 1768–1771 (Limited Deluxe Edition)

COOK, James. The Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour, 1768–1771. Guildford: Genesis Publications, 1977.

Folio. Half brown polished calf and green buckram cloth. Front cover with vignette of H.M.S. Endeavour in gilt. Spine with raised bands, gilt-decorated compartments, titled in gilt on green Morocco panel. Green speckled edges. Endpapers printed with design sketches of H.M.S. Endeavour. Facsimile reproduction of Cook's journal manuscript throughout. Limited edition. Limited to 500 numbered copies, this being number 208. Bookplate of Milton Whitmont to first flyleaf.

James Cook (1728–1779) sailed from Plymouth in August 1768 in command of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour, ostensibly to observe the transit of Venus from Tahiti on behalf of the Royal Society, but carrying sealed orders from the Admiralty for a second and considerably more consequential purpose: to search the South Pacific for the great southern continent, Terra Australis Incognita, that European geographical theory had long insisted must exist to balance the landmasses of the northern hemisphere. Cook found no such continent, because none existed — but in the process of establishing this negative he circumnavigated and charted New Zealand with a thoroughness no previous European navigator had approached, and became the first European to make landfall on the eastern coast of Australia, at Botany Bay in April 1770. He wrote, with characteristic understatement, in a letter to a friend after his return: "I have made no great discoveries, yet I have explored more of the Great South Sea than all who have gone before me, and little remains now to be done."

The Endeavour's survey of the Australian coast, conducted over four months as Cook worked his way north from Botany Bay, nearly ended in catastrophe when the ship struck the Great Barrier Reef in June 1770 — an event that forced Cook to jettison guns and stores to refloat her, and that necessitated seven weeks of repair at the mouth of the Endeavour River before the voyage could continue. The ship eventually limped to Batavia for more thorough repairs before returning to England via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving home in July 1771 to a nation whose understanding of the geography of the Pacific and the southern hemisphere had been permanently and irreversibly transformed.

Cook's journal — the day-by-day record he kept throughout the voyage, distinct from and complementary to the journal kept simultaneously by Joseph Banks — is the primary naval and navigational record of one of the most consequential voyages in the history of European exploration, recording not only the navigational and scientific business of the expedition but Cook's own increasingly complex encounters with the peoples of Tahiti, New Zealand, and the Australian coast. This Genesis Publications facsimile edition makes Cook's manuscript record available in a form that preserves the immediacy of his own hand, produced with the same quality of fine binding and physical presentation that distinguishes the companion Genesis editions of the Banks journal and Fryer's narrative of the Bounty.

This copy bears the provenance of the Whitmont family in the bookplate of Milton Whitmont. The Whitmont family are documented among Australian collectors and have been the subject of scholarly study. Their library of exploration and Pacific history is well-known the be among the best collections within Australia.

Near fine. A few markings here and there internally. Binding fine. A wonderful copy with a strong provenance.

Please note: This is a large volume. Additional postage costs may apply. If so, we will contact you after purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store.
If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au

Catalogue Number: HH000672