Collection: Captain Cook

Shop rare books from Captain James Cook, the pioneering navigator who revolutionised Western understanding of the southern hemisphere.

Through his three monumental voyages, Captain Cook expanded European geographical knowledge of the Pacific, beyond the achievements of his predecessors, blending the art of navigation with scientific discovery. He left behind him a body of work including the official accounts of each of his voyages, the last of which includes a magnificent atlas of plates with stunning views of the South Pacific. Furthermore, the scientists and crew members who participated in the voyages produced numerous publications. Similarly, the artists accompanying Cook on his journey to the Pacific also contributed works, with Webber's ‘Views in the South Seas’ standing out as the only published colour plate book related to Cook's expeditions.

Browse rare books and first editions from Captain Cook’s voyages currently on our shelves now. Explore the detailed insights of Julian Mackenzie, our senior travel and exploration specialist, on the enduring legacy of Captain Cook's voyages.

Read the blog Captain Cook's Voyages | The publishing phenomenon