A new, authentic, and complete collection of voyages round the world, undertaken and performed by royal authority. Containing an authentic, entertaining, full, and complete history of Captain Cook's first, second, third, and last voyages, undertaken by order of His present Majesty, for making discoveries in geography, navigation, astronomy, &c. in the southern and northern hemispheres ... To which will be added, genuine narratives of other voyages of discovery round the world, &c. undertaken, performed, and written by English circum-navigators

London: Alex. Hogg, 1784. First collected edition of Cook's three voyages, folio, 2 volumes in 1; pp. iv, [4] list of subscribers, [5]-398; [399]-655, [1]; complete with the engraved frontispiece portrait of Cook, and with the full complement of 155 engraved plates an charts, but without the large folding world map; clean tear in D2 (no loss; one plate with tear at the top causing partial loss to the imprint and border, a half dozen or so other plates torn, with old repairs on versos and no loss; portions of the text dampstained, occasional spotting; many leaves trimmed close at the bottom with occasional loss or partial loss of a catchword, including (truncated) partial loss to the title page imprint; some plates also trimmed close; 20th-century red morocco-backed marbled boards by J. Mac Donald Co., Norwalk, Ct., gilt lettering direct on gilt-paneled spine; the flaws aside, a very good copy. "An important compilation of English voyages, richly illustrated with engraved maps and plates. Anderson sometimes gives the original accounts, others are edited or abridged versions, and frequently additional materials from other sources are added to give scope and depth to the narratives" (Hill, 2nd. ed., 18). Also included are narratives of voyages by Byron, Wallis, Carteret, Lord Mulgrave, Lord Anson, Sir Francis Drake, Parkinson, Lutwidge, Ives, Middleton, Smith, More, Hanway, Hamilton, Kalm, Dalrymple, Johnson, Smollett, Moore, and others. The book was originally issued in 80 separate six-penny numbers. Two settings of the title page exist, one dated 1784 and the other undated - unknown in this instance as the title is shaved. Of the undated title-page ESTC suggests that it was issued with the final of the six-penny numbers. Beddie 17; Forbes 61. (Inventory #: 61031)