Complete set of Cook's three great voyages.

London, W. Strahan & T. Cadell [and others], 1773-1785.10 volumes. 4to + atlas in elephant folio. Uniformly bound in contemporary tree calf, expertly rebacked (1 spine sl. discoloured), original spines laid down, spines gilt with red morocco title label, atlas half calf. All charts, plates and portraits as called-for in all volumes. With armorial bookplate in each volume of W.H.B. Fletcher.Captain Cook's three great voyages form the basis for any collection of Pacific books. In three voyages Cook did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than all his predecessors together had done. He was the first really scientific navigator and his voyages made great contributions to many fields of knowledge (Hill 358).Cook was a brilliant navigator and hydrographer, an excellent administrator and planner, and probably the first sea captain to realize the importance of preserving the health and well-being of his crew (PMM 223).First voyage with the Endeavour. - HAWKESWORTH, John. An account of the voyages undertaken by the order of his present majesty for making discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere. London, W. Strahan & T. Cadell, 1773. 3 volumes. With 50 engraved plates and charts.'Second and best edition, generally preferred to the first as it is complete with the chart of the Straits of Magellan and the List of Plates (missing in many copies of the first edition and contains some extra material in the form of a new preface in which Hawkesworth replies to the charges of poor editing made against him by Dalrymple' (Hordern House, Parks Cook Collection). Beddie 648.Second voyage on the Resolution. - COOK, James. A Voyage towards the South Pole, and Round the World. Performed in His Majesty's Ships the Resolution and Adventure, in the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775. London, W. Strahan & T. Cadell. 1777. 2 volumes. With 64 engraved maps and charts, including portrait.Beddie 1216. - First edition.Third voyage on the Resolution and Discovery. - COOK, James, & James King. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. London, G. Nicol & T. Cadell, 1785. 3 volumes. With 24 engraved plates and charts in the text volumes and 63 in the elephant atlas volume ( not included is the Death of Cook plate). Beddie 1552. - Second edition.In addition, bound uniformly with the Cook set Andrew KIPPIS. The life of captain James Cook. London, printed for G. Nicol and G.G.F. & J. Robinson, 1788. With engraved portrait. Some age-browning otherwise an atractive set.