1778 Engraving: Captain Cook s Second Voyage - Meeting the Tahitians

The engraving depicts the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville hoisting the French colors upon a small rock in the Magellan Straits. This act symbolizes the claiming of terr...

This antique print depicts the ceremonial welcome received by Captain James Cook upon his arrival at the island of Hapaee (Ha’apai) in Tonga during his third voyage in 1777. The engr...

Title: War Canoes of Otaheite equipp'd for Engagement as represented by Captn. Cooke This detailed engraving depicts the "War Canoes of Otaheite (Tahiti), as represented by Capt'n C...

Title: "The Natives of Otaheite Attacking Capt. Wallis, The First Discoverer of that Island" This engraving depicts a significant historical encounter between the natives of Tahiti ...

Very early 18th century Dutch woodblock engraving of the Northern Whale Fishery, circa 1720, a hand colored engraving illustrating the Dutch whaling flee...

American engraving of the surrender of Cornwallis, depicting Cornwallis and troops presenting sword to George Washington and a fellow commander on the battle encampment, in a gilt wo...

Vintage Nautical Ship Print of First Journey of "Victory". Offered for sale is a print of the first journey of Victory, 1778.W.L. Wyllie, R.A. Harold Wyllie, sculpt. A great revolut...

"A Canoe of the Sandwich Islands, the Rowers Masked" is an engraving created by Charles Grignion, from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It is Plate 65 in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admiralty sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. This famous image of ten Hawaiian rowers transporting a priest who is carrying a feather-covered image of Kukailimoku, the Hawaiian god of war. The priests and paddlers are all wearing gourd masks in their double-hulled canoe with an upright lateen woven sail. Each hull was shaped from a single large Koa log harvested from island rainforests, where they were carved before being transported to the coast. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. Koa is the same wood as was used to make the canoe. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii, but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. The frame measures 20.75" high, 26.75" wide and 0.88" deep. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mat (LU117324682022, LU117324684052, LU117324684062). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook (1728-1779) during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...