The Fleet of Tahiti displayed for Captain Cook: An Original 18th C. Engraving
"The Fleet of Otaheite, Assembled at Oparee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by William Hodges (1744-1797), who was the artist who accompanies Captain Cook on his second voyage of discovery (1772-1775). 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: William Hodges (1744-1797)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 828
"The Fleet of Otaheite, Assembled at Oparee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by William Hodges (1744-1797), who was the artist who accompanies Captain Cook on his second voyage of discovery (1772-1775). 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: William Hodges (1744-1797)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 828
"The Fleet of Otaheite, Assembled at Oparee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by William Hodges (1744-1797), who was the artist who accompanies Captain Cook on his second voyage of discovery (1772-1775). 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: William Hodges (1744-1797)
Creation Year: 1785
Dimensions: Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm) Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
Reference #: 828
On 26 April 1774, Cook and his crew witnessed a fleet of over 159 canoes massing in a display of power in Matavai Bay, Tahiti. The engraving depicts four large Tahitian war canoes loaded with men; many armed. The king stands in the boat in the foreground on the right. He is wearing an elaborate headdress know as a Fau. A taumi, a U-shaped neck adornment made from dog hair, feathers, shark teeth, and bark cloth, is draped over his chest. Hills, trees and clouds are seen in the background.
The engraving is printed on laid chain-linked paper. The sheet measures 9.5" in height and 15.25" in width. There is a faint smudge in the upper margin on the right and a tiny spot in the right margin. The print is otherwise in excellent condition.
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.
