Portraits, Cook, James, c1845

Date: c1845

Published in Nurnberg

Paper Size: 255 x 200mm

Condition: Good

Technique: Steel Engraving, later hand colouring

Price: $375

Description:

Captain James Cook (1728-1779) was a British explorer, cartographer, and naval officer, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the pacific ocean and to New Zealand and Australia in particular. He made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. In 1779 during Cook's third exploratory voyage in the Pacific, tensions escalated between his men and the natives of Hawaii. An attempt to kidnap Chief Kalani'opu'u led to Cook's death. He left a legacy of scientific and geographical knowledge that influenced his successors well into the 20th century. Numerous memorials worldwide have been dedicated to him.