Cook’s Views West Coast of America 1784 （CC01)

1784 Cook’s Views West Coast of America
This superb reproduction of the original antique copperplate engraving of “Views on the West Coast of America” was published in 1784 by Strahan and Cadell. The Resolution and the Discovery charted the Pacific Northwest coast of North America and searched, unsuccessfully, for the fabled Northwestern Passage. This topographical view was drawn by Lt.William Bligh. They returned to the Island of Hawaii where Cook was killed by islanders on February 14, 1779 at Karakakooa Bay. Original charts from Cook’s Third Voyage of Discovery (1776-1780) are distinguished by both their high degree of accuracy and their historic importance.
The official British Admiralty editions of Cook’s Voyages were published over an eleven year span, and sold by subscription to a privileged and appreciative public. The quality of this publication was unsurpassed, and the plates included represent the finest of 18th century engraving. Subsequent translations of Cook’s Voyages were published in various European languages, however, none were to match the original English edition in quality and artistic excellence. The production of the plates was overseen by Francesco Bartolozzi, the acknowledged master of 18th century stipple engraving and personal favorite of George III of England.