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C1784
Sea Horses.
Artist:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. From 11 August to 3 September, 1778 Cook’s ships had a harrowing time sailing through the Arctic’s ice covered seas and were … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
Sea Horses.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
Minor repair near title, otherwise in good condition.
Technique:
Hand coloured copper engraving.
Image Size:
410mm
x 270mm
Paper Size:
485mm
x 282mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage.
From 11 August to 3 September, 1778 Cook’s ships had a harrowing time sailing through the Arctic’s ice covered seas and were in need of supplies.
On the 19th August Cook sent two boats to hunt the large colony of walruses that had been seen from the ship. By seven that evening seven were brought on board the Resolution.
‘The sea horse, also known as the morse, is now called the walrus. Ledyard described them as, between a quadrupede and a fish, their heads are somewhat like those of a dog, without ears, except two large white tusks that project downward from the upper jaw… they have a thick skin like that of a horse. Gilbert considered the name sea horse. Why they are so called I can’t imagine, for they bear not the smallest resemblance to that animal.’ Cook Journals III, i, 419.
Beddie 1743-52, p.342, Joppien 3.279A, ill.p.511
From Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere….
John Webber (1752 - 1793)
Official artist on Cook's third and last voyage. The reasons for the voyage were to return Omai and explore the possibility of a north-west passage along the North American continent. Webber was required to "give a more perfect idea thereof than can be formed by written description." Webber's oeuvre from the voyage was the most comprehensive record of sights in the Pacific region ever produced.
