Bilder James Cook (1728–1779) – Map of Queen Charlotte Island and Swallow Bay (South Pacific) – Etching (1774)

Beskrivning

"Cote Septentrionale de la plus grande des Isles de la Reine Charlotte" depicts a nautical sheet featuring coastal profiles and harbor charts from the South Pacific. The top of the composition shows a long panoramic view of the mountainous coastline of Queen Charlotte Island as seen from the west, including a small illustration of a smoking volcano. The lower section contains two detailed hydrographic plans: Baye Swallow and Havre Byron, both showing depth soundings and coastal topography. This etching was published in Paris by Panckoucke as part of the French edition of the official account of Cook’s first voyage. The work provided European audiences with some of the first accurate visual and geographical data of the islands and anchorages encountered during the exploration of the Southern Ocean.

James Cook was a preeminent British explorer, navigator, and cartographer who rose to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy. He is best known for commanding three historic voyages of discovery across the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. Cook’s meticulous approach to map-making and his use of advanced navigational instruments revolutionized the field of hydrography. His published journals and charts provided the Western world with an unprecedented level of geographic knowledge, fundamentally reshaping the global map of the eighteenth century.

Artist or Maker: James Cook.

Dimensions: Approximately 34 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Etching.

Date: 1774.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.