BROADCAST AND ONLINE FOOTAGE AVAILABLE THIS AFTERNOON (rough-cut and edited packages)

SOFA GUESTS: Available on request

James Cook: The Voyages (27th April to 28th August 2018) explores James Cook’s three world-changing voyages through stunning artworks, original maps, handwritten journals and contemporary films.

The exhibition, which includes the first ever chart of New Zealand by James Cook, allows visitors to follow the course of his voyages, from the perspective of those on board the ships to those who saw them arrive on their shores, and consider their legacy and relevance today.

From iconic depictions of people and landscapes by artists Sydney Parkinson, John Webber and William Hodges to an evocative collection of drawings by Polynesian high priest and navigator Tupaia, which are going on display together for the first time, James Cook: The Voyages will take visitors on a journey of discovery from the Pacific Ocean to the Antarctic.

Other highlights include James Cook’s handwritten journal entry describing the first crossing of the Antarctic Circle, specimens from the first voyage, the first illustrations of Antarctic and Hawaii, the first European drawing of a kangaroo as well as artefacts such as jewellery and musical instruments discovered on the voyages.

The exhibition will chart Cook’s three voyages, from the Endeavour setting sale from Plymouth in 1768 to the Resolution and Discovery returning to Britain in 1780 after Cook’s death in Hawaii.

Broadcast and online footage, is available free and without copyright to all broadcasters and media via the Online Press Office.

For more information please call TNR for details on 020 7963 7163.

Footage includes:

GVs of the James Cook exhibition at The British Library

            Shots include: Paintings of New Zealand and Australia

                                    First chart of New Zealand

                                    First artworks of Antarctic

                                    Bamboo Flute from Tahiti

                                    First European depiction of a kangaroo

IV William Frame, Co-curator of ‘James Cook: The Voyages’ at the British Library

IV Laura Walker, Co-curator of ‘James Cook: The Voyages’ at the British Library

Notes to Editors

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest research libraries. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. The Library's collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation and includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, photographs, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Up to 10 million people visit the British Library website - www.bl.uk - every year where they can view up to 4 million digitised collection items and over 40 million pages.

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