Abebooks UK : Cook’s Voyages by John Hawkesworth

Cook’s Voyages by John Hawkesworth : $50,000

AbeBooks’ 10th most expensive sale of all time. A rare first edition set of the official accounts of Captain James Cook’s three voyages published in nine volumes in 1773, 1777 and 1784 respectively. These books were 18^th century bestsellers with readers eager to learn about the other side of the world.

Cook’s first voyage is covered by three volumes and describes his journey to the Southern Hemisphere. His second voyage, towards the South Pole, is described in two volumes. His third voyage, to the Pacific Ocean including the western coastline of America and Canada, is detailed in four volumes. These books gave Europeans a greater awareness of world geography, while his maps and charting of coastlines laid the foundation for modern maritime routes.