The World Displayed, Or, A Curious Collection Of Voyages And Travels. Selected And Compiled From The Writers Of All Nations. Volume 8
Publisher
Smart, Goldsmith and Johnson
Date1796
Object number00003601
NameBook
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 46 x 223 x 135 mm, 0.6 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Hordern House
DescriptionA book titled '"The World Displayed, Or, A Curious Collection Of Voyages And Travels. Selected And Compiled From The Writers Of All Nations by Smart, Goldsmith and Johnson." Volume 8, published in 1796.
This volume is an account of Captain James Cook's last voyage to the Pacific.
HistoryThe 18th century was an era of immense popularity for travel writing. As the world began to open up to European exploration, accounts of newly described lands were eagerly read. "The World Displayed, Or, a Curious Collection of Voyages and Travels. Selected And Compiled from the Writers of all nations by Smart, Goldsmith and Johnson." was produced by three young entrepreneurial publishers in Philadelphia Robert Simpson, James Key and J.H Dobelbower.
Recognising the flourishing market for travel accounts, the men published this 8 volume set by subscription and sold the set for USD $12 (approximately $220 in today's market). In the end the print run was about 1500 copies and a great success.
This particular volume focuses on Captain James Cook's third and final voyage to the Pacific, a journey still vivid in the public's imagination as it resulted to the death of the explorer less than 20 years earlier in Hawaii.
SignificanceThis book is representative of the presentation of the great age of exploration to the public. Travel accounts served as portrayals of the 'exotic' and at times adventures to a public eager to partake in the opening up the world by men such as Captain James Cook who became heroes.
