Carte de la Riviere de Cook, dans la partie N. O. de L'Amerique (1785)

Description

This is a copper engraved map of Alaska from the first French Edition of the Chronicles of James Cook's Third Voyage. The title of the book is Cartes et figures du troisième voyage de Cook or Maps and figures of Cook's Third Voyage. This was published in 1785 in Paris at Hôtel de Thou, Rue des Poiteuins.

This map shows the coast of Southern Alaska that Cook explored in May of 1778. The map gives a starting date of May 12, 1778 and traces his route along the coast. He gives depth measurements and coastline information along the way. The title of the map is Carte de la Riviere de Cook, dans la partie N. O. de L'Amerique which translates to Map of the Cook River in N (North) O (West) Part of America.

The map shows Prince William Sound, where Valdez currently is, which is shown as Entree du Prince Guillaume and Cook Inlet along with its Turnagain Arm and its Knik Arm where Anchorage currently is.