World [2 sheets set] Northern/Southern Hemispheres. Cook's Travels

World map in two sheets. 1789 dated on the maps.

By Calcografia Camerale. Rome, from "Nuovo Atlante Geografico Universale delineato sulle ultime osservazioni"

This elegant hand colored set of two maps by Giovanni Maria Cassini appeared following the discoveries of Captain Cook in the late 18th century. The portions of Cook’s voyages which took place in the northern and southern hemisphere are denoted on the maps, including the dates of the voyages at various stages. The perspectives are from directly above the North/South Pole, so includes all of the World as seen from the Poles.

The land masses included are depicted in fine detail, with names of continents, countries and some major cities noted. In addition, some regions and other geographical detail of interest are also named. Tablets embellished with decorative images [two sets of birds carrying reaths and 2 sets of female centaurs and fishlike creatures] on either side of the map provide detailed descriptions of the length of days in various zones, and the climate at positions noted on the map.