"The Life, and particulars of the death, of the late circumnavigator, Captain James Cook"…
"The Life, and particulars of the death, of the late circumnavigator, Captain James Cook" [in] The New Magazine of Choice Pieces; or Literary Museum.
London: John Cundee, 1810.
Two volumes, octavo, frontispiece and plates, recent orange cloth.
Popular account of Cook's life for London readers
Popular magazine of abridged (i.e. pirated) articles and literary extracts, including a 33 page account of Captain Cook's life loosely derived from Andrew Kippis' biography. Popular magazines such as the New Magazine of Choice Pieces flourished in early nineteenth-century London. The author states his intention of publishing 'in a limited space, and at a reasonable price, a pleasing variety of all that is valuable'. This set includes a lengthy life of Cook, accompanied by a folding frontispiece engraving of his death in Hawaii.
Popular magazine of abridged (i.e. pirated) articles and literary extracts, including a 33 page account of Captain Cook's life loosely derived from Andrew Kippis' biography. Popular magazines such as the New Magazine of Choice Pieces flourished in early nineteenth-century London. The author states his intention of publishing 'in a limited space, and at a reasonable price, a pleasing variety of all that is valuable'. This set includes a lengthy life of Cook, accompanied by a folding frontispiece engraving of his death in Hawaii.
Of additional interest is an entry of five pages describing the career of emancipated convict George Bruce, who married a New Zealand 'princess' (the daughter of Chief Tippahee), after living with the Māori for some years. The article glosses over Bruce's transportation, but notes 'At Port Jackson, Bruce entered into the naval colonial service, and was employed for several years under Lieutenants Robins, Flinders, and others, in exploring the coasts…'
Further Pacific inclusions are "Tamahama in the Sandwich Islands", a native usurper likened to Bonaparte by the florid editor; and a recipe for taro, coconuts and roast pork titled 'Savage Cookery… Description of a singular method of cookery at Atoui'.
Condition Report: Significant tear affecting one leaf, some browning, but a good set overall.
Price (AUD): $600.00
US$388.54 Other currencies