Tahiti View of Huaheine. Captain Cook, Society Islands. c1780

by Cook, Captain James

18th century antique print, Huahine, French Polynesia.

Wonderful original copperplate engraving after the drawing by John Webber (1751-1793), Admiralty-appointed official artist on the voyage of Captain James Cook. This engraving is one of 78 drawings of indigenous people, artifacts and views, that were published for British Admiralty-approved John Hawkesworth’s Complete History of Captain Cook's First, Second and Third Voyages published in London circa 1780 by Alexander Hogg.

As published, indicating sunshine on water in centre and rear right of ships, this is a wonderful engraving. Unfortunately there is evidence of previous framing, with tape remnants at top left and top right extremities, tiny corner missing at lower left, and slight soiling at page edges. Price reduced accordingly.

Page measures approximately 230 x 375mm (9 x 14 3/4 inches).