10-30-201610-30-2016
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2950BBoston
October 30, 2016 11:00 AMCalender
404

Webber, John (1751-1793) Views in the South Seas, from Drawings by the late James Webber, Draftsman on Board the Resolution, Captain Ja

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$28,290$23,000
Auction: Books & Manuscripts - 2950BLocation: BostonDate / Time: October 30, 2016 11:00AM

Description:

Webber, John (1751-1793) Views in the South Seas, from Drawings by the late James Webber, Draftsman on Board the Resolution, Captain James Cooke. London: Boydell & Co., 1808 [but 1820]. Folio, illustrated with sixteen hand-colored aquatint plates; the plates printed on paper watermarked 1819-1820; bound in modern half red morocco, with the original marbled boards and the original printed paper label on the front board, very good, 21 x 16 1/4 in.
Webber's work is the only color plate book on the subject of Pacific exploration, and the only hand-colored illustrated work related to Cook's third voyage. Webber was on board with Cook for two voyages, and created most of the engravings for the third voyage's atlas volume. Subjects treated in this work include Tahiti, Kamchatka, Macao, New Zealand, Tonga, and tropical vegetation. They appear in the following order:
1. View in Queen Charlotte's Sound, New Zealand
2. Boats of the Friendly Islands
3. A Sailing Canoe of Otaheite
4. A View of the Island of Cracatoa
5. A View of Oheitepeha, in the Island of Otaheite
6. Waheiadooa, Chief of Oheitepeha, lying in State
7. View of the Harbour of Taloo, in the Island of Eimeo
8. A Toopapaoo of a Chief with a Priest making his offering to the Morai, in Huahine
9. The Resolution beating through the Ice, with the Discovery in the most eminent danger in the distance
10. The Narta or Sledg for burdens in Kamtchatka
11. Balagans or Summer Habitation, with the method of drying fish at St. Peter and Paul, Kamtchatka
12. View in Macao, including the residence of Camoens, where he wrote his Lusiad
13. View in Macao
14. A View in the Island of Pulo Condore
15. The Plantain Tree, in the Island of Cracatoa
16. The Fan Palm in the Island of Cracatoa
Provenance: The Estate of David Spinney.
Estimate $30,000-50,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

James Cooke, James Webber, Charlotte, David Spinney, Waheiadooa, London, Macao, Sound, New Zealand, Tonga