Journal of the Resolution's Voyage, in 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775. On discovery to the southern hemisphere,...

The first crossing of the Antarctic Circle. the first published account of Cook's second voyage and the first printed account of the first crossing of the Antarctic Circle, with the rare extra map.

Appearing anonymously eighteen months before the official account, Marra's Journal records many incidents omitted by Cook and gives the reasons which caused Sir Joseph Bank and his twelve assistants to withdraw from the expedition at the last moment. It includes the account of the Adventure's fateful second stop at Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand and the death of ten crewmen during an altercation with the Māori people. His friend David Henry, then publisher of the Gentleman's Magazine, helped him edit his narrative.

Marra was a gunner's mate of Irish descent aboard the Resolution. He attempted to desert, unsuccessfully, at Tahiti, prompting Cook to remark later: "I know not if he might not have obtained my consent if he had applied for it in proper time." Marra himself recounts his punishment in irons.

This copy contains the rare extra map Part of the Tropical Discoveries of the Resolution Sloop Captain J. Cook in 1774, showing New Caledonia, the Great Cyclades islands, and Norfolk Island. It exists in two states: the first shows Norfolk Island at 4° more southerly than accurate and includes the engraver's imprint, the second corrects the latitude of Norfolk Island and was also published in the March issue of the Gentleman's Magazine accompanying an article on the voyage. The present map is the latter, corrected, version and indicates that this copy was not sold until 1776 by which point Marra's old friend Henry had time to include the amended version of the extra map.

"A rare work... contain[ing] details of many events not recorded in the official account, and a preface recording the causes which led Banks and his staff to withdraw from the expedition at the last moment. Accordingly it is a vital second voyage item." (Davidson).

First edition; 8vo (23.5 x 16 cm); folding map, 5 engraved plates, extra-illustrated with the rare additional map, fore- and bottom-edges uncut, a few repaired worm holes to lower margin of folding map; later half calf, marbled boards, spine in six gilt compartments with gilt red morocco lettering piece, a very good copy; xiii, [1], 328 pp.

Hill 1087; Holmes 16; Rosove 214.A1.b.; Sabin 16247.