Bilder James Cook (1728–1779) – Map of the Queen Charlotte Islands (South Pacific) – Etching (1774)

Beskrivning

"Isles de la Reine Charlotte" depicts a nautical chart of a group of islands in the South Pacific, featuring the large Isle du Lord Egmont or New Guernsey. The composition includes a primary map showing the complex coastlines, smaller nearby islands such as Isle d’Ourry and Isle Swallow, and a detailed inset map of Isle Carteret and Isle Gower. A small illustration of an active volcano is placed centrally, while the various tracks of exploration vessels are marked throughout the waters. 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 the European public with essential geographic data regarding the remote archipelagos of the Santa Cruz group encountered during eighteenth-century maritime exploration.

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 44 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.