Exhibition labels & didactics - National Gallery of Victoria

James COOK author
English 1728–1779
Abridged edition of historical and
modern voyages around the world
Collection abrégée des voyages anciens et
modernes autour du monde
Vol. 9 by James Cook, published by Dufart, Paris
1809
book: engravings, letterpress, gold embossed
leather cover, stitched binding
Collection of Pierre Branda, Paris
James COOK author
English 1728–1779
Frontispiece and title page in
Abridged edition of historical and
modern voyages around the world
Collection abrégée des voyages anciens et
modernes autour du monde
Vol. 8 by James Cook, published by Dufart, Paris
1809
engraving
Collection of Pierre Branda, Paris
Napoleon was permitted to take a variety
of personal effects into exile on St Helena.
These included family portraits, maps and
a small library that contained this copy
of Captain Cook’s voyages. This was an
apparent favourite of the former Emperor,
who had also carried Cook’s narratives with
him to read during his Egyptian campaign
in 1798-99. It is intriguing to think of
Napoleon, during his last days on St Helena,
reading Cook’s account of his exploration
of Australia.
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