ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF SA
RARE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 26.11.2015
CAPTAIN COOK
BOOKS
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A VOYAGE towards the SOUTH POLE and ROUND THE WORLD performed in His Majesty’s Ships the
RESOLUTION and ADVENTURE in the years 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775. Written by JAMES COOK,
Commander of the Resolution, in which is included CAPTAIN FURNEAUX’s NARRATIVE of his
Proceedings in the ADVENTURE during the Separation of the Ships. Published “...as the Act directs Feb
7th 1777”. From the York Gate Library, in two volumes. This seems to be the first and official publication of
Cooks Journal of this second round the world voyage. Old style spelling in the text but not on the title page.
Includes maps, charts, portraits, and views of places drawn during the voyage by Mr Hodges. Includes dating
in the page margins. Volume two included an extensive “Vocabulary of the Language of the Society Islands”
together with “A Discourse upon some late improvements of the Means for Preserving the Health of Mariners”,
delivered at the meeting of the Royal Society 30.11.1776 by Sir John Pringle Bt. President, and corrected by
the author (does this mean Pringle or Cook?)
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CAPTAIN COOK’S JOURNAL during his FIRST VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD made in H.M. BARK
ENDEVOUR 1768-71. A literal transcription of the original manuscript updated for grammar and spelling.
Edited by Captain WJ Wharton RN and published in 1893. This book has two particularly interesting features.
It is from the York Gate Library, and included a statement dated October 1893 that it is one of “50 copies
printed on large paper, a few bound in the wood from Cook’s Tree on Clapham Common.” Our book is copy
number 4. A Google search disclosed a similar copy for sale at $AUD 11,000, with some details of the tree
(an Elm Tree). The other feature is a pocket in the back containing three maps with comparative surveys done
by Captain Cook and modern (1893) surveyors. One can see the accuracy of Cook’s work. These maps have
been removed and repaired and are shown separately from the book itself.
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THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK by Andrew Kippis. Printed in Dublin in 1788 for a group of 11 men
who are named. From the York Gate Library. Attractive embossed and decorated binding. Contains a
dedication to the King. Consists mainly of details of his voyages around the world, with more limited pages
devoted to his life before that and an analysis of his character and impact. Includes a dating system on the
margin of each page, and a six page poem about Cook “The Morai, an Ode” by Miss Helen Maria Williams in
Appendix two. It is interesting to note the old style of writing the letter s like the letter f, and to try to read it
aloud!
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NARRATIVE of the VOYAGES ROUND THE WORLD performed by CAPTAIN JAMES COOK with an
ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE during the previous and intervening periods by Andrew Kippis. Printed and
published in London. No publication date is give, the book is from the Gill Library and signed by Thomas Gill
26.06.1880. This is a very small book, essentially identical to the other one by Kippis but with modernised
spelling and one illustration. One or more pages are missing from the back of the book as evidenced by the
incomplete poem.
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Volume 1 of THE THREE VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK ROUND THE WORLD complete in
seven volumes by Dr Hawkesworth. With maps and other plates. From the York Gate Library. Printed in
London 1821. Page edges badly trimmed, cheap binding. Updated spelling. Draws on Cook’s Journal and the
papers of Sir Joseph Banks.

THE FACES OF CAPTAIN COOK, A Numismatic Memoir Compiled and published by Allan Klenman in
1983, and presented by the author in 1997. Illustrates the wide recognition of Cook via Medals and Coins
struck by a plethora of countries, states, councils and private organisations.

CAPTAIN COOK’S ARTISTS IN THE PACIFIC 1769-1779 Compiled by Anthony Murray- Oliver. Published
by Avon Fine Prints NZ in 1969. Presented by Sir Geoffrey Badger in 1994. Gathers together for the first time
the work of artists associated with Cook and previously published in a variety of ways. Sir Geoffrey Badger
was an organic chemist, Professor then Vice Chancellor at Adelaide University
ARTIFACTS
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TAPA CLOTH The RGSSA has a swatch of Tapa cloth samples brought back from the Pacific by
Cook. These are on long term loan to the Maritime Museum at Port Adelaide. Two larger samples
from the library are shown to illustrate the technique. The cloth is widespread across the Pacific,
and is principally made from the bark of the Paper Mulberry Tree, and is always decorated. See
Wikipedia for a detailed explanation
NOTES ON COOK
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Born 03.11.1728
Elected a Member of the Royal Society for “losing only one man on the voyage of 1772-75
(introduction to 1821 Voyages)
Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1775
Association with Banks benefited both of them and achieved results which neither could have alone
Died in Hawaii 14.02.1779
Prepared and Presented by Richard Wilson