KIPPIS, Andrew

The Life of Captain James Cook. London, G. Nicol and G.G. & J. Robinson, 1788. In-4 (290 x 233 mm) with an engraved portrait, XVI, 527 pp.ch. Dmi-basane with corners, smooth spine decorated with fillets, olive morocco title-piece, yellow edges (period binding). Hill, 935; Holmes, 69; Lada-Mocarski, 40; O'Reilly-Reitman, 455. First edition. The first biography of Captain Cook, based on sources from the Admiralty and documents in the possession of Joseph Banks. The work includes valuable information on the period of Cook's life prior to the great voyages, including his role aboard the Mercury on the St. Lawrence during the siege of Quebec. "First biography of Cook and details of his three voyages. Reproduces Samwell's account of Cook's death and, as an appendix, Helen Maria Williams' ode The Morai" (O'Reilly). Corners rubbed and dulled, snagged on the upper spine, portrait a little spotted.