A Set of Twelve Late 18th Century Copper Plate Engravings Of The People of Polynesia And Melanesia

These fascinating portraits were published in England in the late 18th century to record the lives and history of the previously unknown people of Polynesia and Melanesia. The ‘Grand Tour’ maritime voyages of the explorer Captain James Cook transformed and changed for ever Europe’s knowledge of half the unknown world. The first contact of two of the great maritime civilizations – Western Europe and Polynesia and the South Pacific – was published and illustrated by Alexander Hogg irca 1784-1786; . He recorded James Cook’s botanical, scientific, mapping and ethnographical observations and discoveries. It is estimated that in 1770 the population of Polynesia totalled over one million. The numerous islands of Polynesia and Melanesia were populated by many diverse cultures who were master navigators with the widest possible range of different and very sophisticated societies.The highly developed culture and navigational skills of the previously unknown Polynesian and Melonesian people were a revelation to European scientists and historians in the late 18th century.

Height: 24cm, 9 1/2″
Width: 35cm, 13 3/4″