Cook’s Voyages in first editions to sell at auction

Tāmaki Makaurau  – A complete set of the three official publications of Cook’s voyages in first editions, published between 1773 and 1784 and with an estimated price of up to $80,000 will go under the hammer in Auckland on Wednesday.

James Cook’s Pacific voyages were deeply significant to the history of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Australia and the broader Pacific.

First editions of his three Pacific voyages are rare and highly sought after by collectors in New Zealand and internationally. The auction will take place on Wednesday, February 2 at Webb’s.

This set is in remarkably good condition, the likes of which has not come to market for many years. All the books have their original bindings and are extremely uncommon, as the publications are more than two centuries old.   

The First Voyage book was published in 1773, the Second Voyage in 1777, and the Third Voyage in 1784. The vendor of the set purchased the books from distinguished London auction house, Bonham’s.

A set of this quality has not come on to the market for many years. Often, bindings are damaged or sets are cobbled together from more than one incomplete set.

Though even in such cases, the books remain very rare and highly valuable. Conversely, this set is a collector’s dream, with all books from the original set in fine condition.

Webb’s, which expect Cook’s Voyages to sell for more than $50,000, says they already have strong buyer interest from within the country and internationally.

The auction also features an array of exquisite objects from diverse regions of the world, including Tanzania, Congo, Papua New Guinea and Aotearoa. A significant portion of the items in the auction are from the Lim-Strutt Family Collection.

The Hamilton-based family has assembled a collection over decades, and it contains a remarkable array of ethnographic artefacts.

While it includes material culture from many regions of the world, the collection is particularly focussed on African objects. It first started over 30 years ago, when economist Steven Lim received a sculptural object from his brother, who was travelling in Africa at the time.

The gift struck a chord, and Lim was smitten. A few months later, he travelled to New York to learn more. New York was the major western centre for African art, its dealers and connoisseurs the most knowledgeable outside of Africa.

The collection grew from there, and over time it became a family pursuit. Lim’s partner Anna Strutt and their children Serena and Juliet Lim-Strutt all took an interest and engaged in the collecting process.

For further information contact Make Lemonade NZ editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188

Photo: Complete Set of the Three Official Publications of Cook’s Voyages in First Editions, published between 1773 and 1784. Price estimate $50,000 - $80,000