- 101
Cook, Captain James
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Cook, Captain James
- Royal Society's silver medal in commemoration of Captain Cook. [London: 1784]
- Silver
Silver circular medal (43mm. in diameter), obverse with a bust profile portrait of Cook in high relief, with legend surround "Oceani Investigator Acerrimvs" (The Most Intrepid Investigator of the Seas), reverse with the personified figure of Fortune in high relief, standing with her left arm leaning on a column, and holding in her right hand a rudder resting on top of a globe, with the legend "Nil Intentatvm Nostri Liquere" (Our Men Have Left Nothing Un-attempted), [Beddie, Bibliography of Captain James Cook, 2790]
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A rare silver Royal Society medal commemorating the life and naval service of Captain Cook.
The Royal Society issued this commemorative medal in 1784 to coincide with the publication of Cook's Third Voyage. The commissioning, minting and distribution of the medal was personally overseen by Sir Joseph Banks. Fellows of the Society received a bronze medal, with presentation copies in gold (the one presented to Cook's widow is now in the British Museum) and silver medals to subscribers. Recent scholarship has suggested that 22 gold medals were issued, 322 silver (as the present) and 577 bronze. An image of the medal appears on the title pages of the second edition of Cook's third voyage.