Reception for Captain Cook, Tonga: Original 18th C. Engraving, Cook's 3rd Voyage
"The Reception of Capt. Cook in Hapaee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by John Webber (1751-1793), who was the artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third voyage of discovery, 1776-1780. The engraving appeared in Alexander Hogg's publication "A New, Authentic, and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World" published in London in 1785.
Creator: John Webber (1751-1793, British)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.63 in (24.47 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 1024
"The Reception of Capt. Cook in Hapaee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by John Webber (1751-1793), who was the artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third voyage of discovery, 1776-1780. The engraving appeared in Alexander Hogg's publication "A New, Authentic, and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World" published in London in 1785.
Creator: John Webber (1751-1793, British)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.63 in (24.47 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 1024
"The Reception of Capt. Cook in Hapaee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by John Webber (1751-1793), who was the artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third voyage of discovery, 1776-1780. The engraving appeared in Alexander Hogg's publication "A New, Authentic, and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World" published in London in 1785.
Creator: John Webber (1751-1793, British)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.63 in (24.47 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 1024
This engraving depicts a large outdoor ceremony in Tonga to honor the visit by Captain Cook from May 1st to 14th, 1777. This is an unusual birds-eye view of a reception for Captain Cook at a Lifuka or Hapaee, Tonga featuring a ritual combat or fighting exhibition inside a ring lined by many Tongans and some of Cook's crew. Cook is reportedly seated between two chieftains inside a hut. There is a lush landscape in the background. The ceremony was witnessed by John Webber, the artist who accompanied Cook on his 3rd voyage of discovery. He made the drawing that was used for this 18th century engraving.
The engraving is printed on laid chain-linked paper. The sheet was created slightly wedge-shaped, measuring 9.63" in height on the left and 9.38" on the right. The sheet measures 15.25" in width. There are two short tears at the upper edge of the sheet which have been professionally stabilized on the verso, a short crease in the upper left corner and a tiny spot in the upper margin. The image is in excellent condition, beautifully inked.
Alexander Hogg was an 18th and early 19th century publisher of illustrated books of architectural and historical prints, as well as maps. His publishing house was located in London at the Kings Arms on Paternoster Row.
