$17,500
In stock
This first edition work is William Wales & William Bayly’s The Original Astronomical Observations, made in the course of a Voyage towards the South Pole, and Round the World, In His Majestys Ships the Resolution and Adventure. It was published in 1777 in London by W. and A. Strahan.
This is the rare astronomical account of Cook’s second voyage. The volume is bound in contemporary half calf, gilt decorated spine, marbled boards, morocco title label. It features an engraved map and 3 plates.
William Wales & William Bayly were appointed to Captain James Cook’s second voyage by the Board of Longitude. The pair were to test Larcum Kendall’s K1 chronometer on the voyage.
Wales recorded locations, conditions, tested the instruments, and made observations on the people and places encountered. It was said of Wales that he was “the cleverest and one of the most amiable men in the Resolution.” His observations are said to have inspired Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. He was commissioned to write the official astronomical account of Cook’s first voyage. He sailed on all three of Cook’s voyages.
Bayly produced valuable scientific work on the expedition, but never achieved the acclaim of Wales.
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