Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1803
Mapmaker / artist
James Cook
Sheet size
30.5 × 49.5 cm (12.0 × 19.5 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-11487-77
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Condition summary: good condition with strong impressions and overall clean paper. Minor age-toning and light foxing mainly in the margins, few tears on top but no repairs. Paper remains firm and well-preserved.
About this sheet
This antique print depicts traditional summer and winter dwellings of the indigenous peoples of Kamchatka, Russia. The engraving shows a group of thatched structures set against a mountainous forested backdrop. In the foreground are semi-subterranean winter houses, built low to the ground with earth mounds covering their roofs for insulation against severe Siberian winters. Elevated wooden summer houses with steep thatched roofs stand on posts to the left, providing ventilation and protection from rain while keeping the living space above damp ground. People and dogs can be seen near the houses, while smoke rises from one of the winter dwellings, suggesting daily activities such as cooking or heating.
This engraving originates from ‘Reizen Rondom de Waereld door James Cook,’ the Dutch translation of James Cook’s voyages published circa 1795 by Honkoop, Allart en Van Cleef and translated by J.D. Pasteur. Cook’s third voyage took him to Kamchatka in 1779, where he and his crew recorded details of local architecture, customs, and daily life, bringing back valuable ethnographic knowledge for European audiences eager to learn about remote northern regions.
The technique used is engraving, involving careful incising of images onto metal plates to produce prints with fine linear precision and tonal depth. These engravings remain prized for their historical accuracy and their ability to convey architectural and cultural details before photography existed.
Condition summary: good condition with strong impressions and clean paper. Minor age-toning and light foxing mainly in the margins, few tears on top but no repairs. Paper remains firm and well-preserved.
Framing tips: A warm cream or light stone mount will enhance the engraving’s muted tones. For framing, choose dark oak, walnut, or black with a slim silver or gold inner edge for a refined, museum-quality presentation. UV-protective glass is recommended to maintain the engraving’s clarity and prevent fading over time.
