C1773

Chart of Cook’s Strait in New Zealand.

Mapmaker:

$A 875

Rare, first edition (c.1773) of the first printed chart of all of Cook’s Strait, New Zealand, issued in the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition accounts of Cook’s first voyage. This is the first and most superior issue of this chart … Read Full Description

Add to Cart

In stock

S/N: CK01E-MAP-NZ-V2385–185598

(C028)

Categories: Captain Cook, COLLECTIONS, NEW ZEALAND, MAPS & GLOBES

Within Australia

All orders free shipping

Rest of the World

Orders over A$300 ship free worldwide

Details

Full Title:

Chart of Cook’s Strait in New Zealand.

Date:

C1773

Mapmaker:

James Cook (1728 - 1779)

Condition:

In good condition, with folds as issued.

Technique:

Copper engraving.

Image Size:

270mm

x 270mm

Paper Size:

375mm

x 294mm

Genuine antique
dated:

1773

Description:

Rare, first edition (c.1773) of the first printed chart of all of Cook’s Strait, New Zealand, issued in the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition accounts of Cook’s first voyage.

This is the first and most superior issue of this chart and identified by the position of the title at top, within the map area, whereas later issues by other publishers placed the title outside the map area.

The first recorded European to discover Cook’s Strait was Abel Tasman in 1642 and assumed it was a bay and anchored for the night. The next day they found themselves in a narrow passage, they quickly took advantage of the wind and exited the strait. In doing so the Dutch did not find the passage from the East Indies to the Pacific which they had been seeking. Cook entered the strait on 6th February 1770 and reached Cape Palliser on the south-east tip of the North Island on 13th February.

From Hawkesworth, An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere,..

References:
Tooley, R.V. The Mapping of Australia. London 1979 :: 324, p.54.
Hakluyt Society, The Charts and Coastal Views of Captain Cook's Voyages. Volume 1. The Voyages of the Endeavour 1768-1771. No. 42. London 1988 :: 1.245A, ill.p.239,.

Collections:
State Library New South Wales: Reference code: 449197
National Library New Zealand: MapColl-833aj/1773/Acc.422
David Rumsey Collection: List No: 3403.041

James Cook (1728 - 1779)

Cook was the most important navigator of the Age of Enlightenment, a period that saw the mystery of the Southland resolved, the discovery of New Zealand, Hawaii, numerous Pacific Islands and confirmation that a Northwest Passage did not exist. Cook was born in Yorkshire, England, the son of a Scottish labourer and apprenticeship for three years under John Walker, a Quaker coal-shipper of Whitby. In 1755 Walker offered him a command, but instead Cook joined HMS Eagle and within a month was master's mate. After two years on the Channel service, he was promoted master of the Pembroke, and in 1758 crossed the Atlantic in her and took part in the siege of Louisburg and the survey of the St Lawrence River that led to the capture of Quebec. Returning to England in 1762 he married Elizabeth Batts (1742-1832?) of Shadwell, whom he was to rarely see in the ensuing years at sea. Cook then famously commanded three voyages that ended with his death on the island of Hawaii on 14 February 1779.

View other items by James Cook