The Three Voyages of Captain Cook.
Pittsburgh: Beta Phi Mu, 1974. Hardcover. 8vo. Brown cloth with gilt lettering and device. xiv, 80pp. Frontispiece, 3 maps. Near fine. Item #48577
ISBN: 0910230102
Handsome first edition -- 5500 copies -- of this description of Cook's three expeditions (1768-1771, 1772-75, 1776-80) and this copy with choice philatelic addition: Tipped in on facing blank front inner flyleaves are a pair of pristine signed First Dav Covers: In 1978 the USPS issued two complementary 13-cent "Captn. James Cook" stamps, one (subtitled "Alaska 1778") featuring his head-and-shoulders portrait, the other (subtitled "Hawaii 1778") showing his ship in a Hawaiian harbor surrounded by native canoes. Two graduate students from Yale University's Department of Graphic Design were chosen to design them. Each FDC measures 6½" X 3½ and each bears one of these stamps. Robert F. Szabo designed the portrait and he signs boldly in black fineline near center; postal cancellation notes Anchorage, Alaska on 20 January 1978 with "First Day of Issue" so noted. Jak Katalan designed the ship scene and he signs boldly in black fineline near center; postal cancellation notes Honolulu, Hawaii on 20 January 1978 with "First Day of Issue" so noted. A small portion of each FDC transmittal envelope is laid into each FDC. A lovely, most unusual copy.
Price: $100.00