Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cooks third and final voyage. Cook entered Kealakekua Bay 17 January 1779 and stayed until March 1779. This remarkable engraving includes many fascinating details, including the first view of a surfboard (lower left), as well as a view of the palm-lined village on shore. Cook's ships remained for five weeks while repairs were made to the masts and rigging as well as the replenishment of the ships' stores. When the Discovery and the Resolution anchored in the waters of Kealakekua Bay, on the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, they were greeted by an enormous number of native Hawaiians. 'At eleven o'clock in the forenoon, we anchored in the bay in thirteen fathoms water, over a sandy bottom, and about a quarter of a mile from the North East shore.The ships continued to be crowded with much natives and were surrounded by a multitude of canoes. I had nowhere, in the course of my voyages, seen so numerous a body of people assembled at one place. For, besides those who had come off to us in canoes, all the shore of the bay was covered with spectators, and many hundreds were swimming round the ships like shoals of fish. We could not but be struck with the singularity of this scene.' Cook's Journals, III, 2,1175 Hawaiian legends had predicted that Lono, one of the four primary gods of the Hawaiian pantheon, would one day return to Hawai'i on "floating islands." The Discovery and Resolution, far larger than even the largest Hawaiian voyaging canoes, might well have been mistaken for floating islands as they sailed offshore. Many believe that Cook was treated with respectful deference as he was probably thought to be the returning Lono. Beddie 1743-68, p.341, Joppien 3.293A, ill.p.525 From Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Image Size: 530mm x 265mm (20.8" x 10.4"). Paper Size: 535mm x 400mm (21" x 15.7"). Condition: Small repaired tear at right sheet edge, not affecting image, otherwise in good condition. Technique: Copper engraving. Seller Inventory # CK03E 30XX54 PI HAW

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Bibliographic Details

Title: A View of Karakakooa, in Owyhee.

Publication Date: 1784

Binding: No Binding

Condition: Very Good

Store Description

Antique Print and Map Room is the largest specialist dealer of rare antique maps and prints in Australia. Established in 1979, our gallery is located in Ultimo, near Sydney's city centre (5 minute walk from the Powerhouse Museum). Our extensive stock is available for purchase online or in our gallery. Our collection includes items from almost every geographical area and spans historical periods from the 15th to the 20th centuries. We have a particular focus on maps and prints charting the early discoveries and cultural exchanges of the East Indies, Pacific and Australia. This includes one of the largest and compelling collections of natural history in Australia. We stock only the highest quality material and guarantee the items are described as in the condition reports on our website. Since our founding, we have become a trusted source of prized historical material for collectors and prestigious national and international institutions and several important private collections. We are members of the following professional associations: AAADA, ANZAAB, ILAB, CINOA.

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Antique Print & Map Room
Shop 189, 392 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia

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