New Zealand, two views, Tolaga Bay, Thomas Cook, 1774, Vue d'un Rocher troue de la Nouvelle Zelande / Village fortifie bati fur un Rocher troue de la Nouvelle Zelande

Two 18th century copper engraved views of the coast of New Zealand as seen from the ship of Thomas Cook. From the first French edition of the Official Account of Cook's voyage to Australia, Paris, 1774.

1. Vue d'un Rocher troue de la Nouvelle Zelande

Rare engraving from the French edition of the accounts of Cook's first voyage, published (1774) the year after the English edition (1773). The title in the English versions was: [A view of a perforated rock in Tolaga Bay in New Zealand]. View of Arched Rock, Tolaga Bay, on New Zealand's north-east coast of the North Island. Cook visited the area in 1769. Sporing, the artist, has depicted the Endeavours' pinnance, which was moving about the bay on the same day in the process of wooding and watering the ship. The discovery of the view was recorded We saw an extraordinary natural curiosity. In pursuing a valley bounded on each side by steep hills we on a sudden saw a most noble arch or Cavern through the face of a rock leading directly to the sea, so that through it we had not only a view of the bay and hills on the other side but an opportunity of imagining a ship or any other grand object opposite it. It was certainly the most magnificent surprize. I have ever met with so much is pure nature superior to art in these cases' Banks, Jornal I, 419, 419, 24 October 1769.

Reference: Beddie 660, p.124, Joppien 1.113B ill. pp. 173 (English edition)

2. Village fortifie bati fur un Rocher troue de la Nouvelle Zelande

[English title: A fortified town or village called a Hippah, built on a perforated rock at Tolaga, New Zealand]. View of Arched Rock, Tolaga Bay. 'After breakfast we all went ashore to see an Indian Fort or Eppah.. We went to a bay where were two, we landed first near a small one the most beautifuly romantick thing I ever saw. It was built on a small rock detached from the main and surroundd at high water, the top of this was fencd round with rails after their manner but was not large enough to contain above 5 or 6 houses; the whole appeared totally inaccessible to any animal who was not furnished with wings.' Banks, Journal I, 431-1, 12 November 1769. Reference: Joppien 1.122B ill. pp. 180

Both views were engraved by Robert Bénard for the 1774 French edition of Hawkesworth's 1773 account of Cook's voyages. It follows the 1772-1773 English edition engraved by William Whitchurch and published in 1773.

Very good, some small repairs margin, not affecting the images.

Images 20x18cm, pages 25,5x19cm