An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in H.M. Ships Resolution and Discovery During the Years 1776-1780; in Search of a North-West Passage
Author: William Wade Ellis (1751-1785)
Year: 1784
Publisher: Printed for G Robinson
Place: London
Description:
2 volumes. [12]+358+[1] pages. [8]+347 pages with folding map and 21 engraved plates. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 1/4") bound in modern quarter calf and marbled boards, ruled and titled in gilt on spines. (Forbes 49; Hill p 95; Kropelien 400; Sabin 22333) Third edition not significantly changed from the previous editions.
The map depicts the "tracks and discoveries" made by Captains Cook and Clerke. The engravings are after drawings by Ellis himself and are the same as those in the first edition, being some of the very earliest published views of Hawaii.
William Wade Ellis was an artist, a naturalist, and a surgeon's mate on Captain James Cook's voyages. His middle name was wrongly identified as Webb in some sources. He is known largely from the paintings of natural history subjects that he made during Captain Cook's voyages.
Little is known of his early life, but he was described by David Samwell, surgeon on HMS Discovery, as "a genteel young fellow and of good education". He served on all three of Captain Cook's voyages and may have improved his artistic skills through the influence of John Webber after moving from HMS Discovery to HMS Resolution. Descriptions of specimens in his notebooks suggest that he was scientifically trained and had a knowledge of Latin but claims that he trained at Cambridge University and at St. Bartholomew's Hospital have not been supported by evidence. Ellis met Joseph Banks and gave him some of his drawings, hoping to be remunerated. Owing to financial difficulties, Ellis took up an offer to write an account of Cook's third voyage, published in 1782. However, due to a breach of terms in the contract, Ellis was not paid for the book's sales.
Condition:
Slightly rubbed, lacking half-titles and errata leaf, tape repair on verso of folding map, browning and spotting else very good.
