72 John Webber (1751–1793) – A Sea Otter – Engraving - Large Folio (1784)
This zoological illustration depicts a Sea Otter lying on a rocky shore, with its head slightly raised against a backdrop of dense coastal foliage. The composition and detail emphasize the animal's distinct rounded form and thick fur. The drawing was made during Captain Cook's exploration of the Pacific Northwest coast, where the valuable fur of the sea otter spurred intense interest among the crew, laying the foundation for the lucrative maritime fur trade. This print was included as a scientific record in the official British Admiralty-sanctioned account of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
John Webber was an English landscape and portrait artist who served as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third voyage of discovery (1776–1780) aboard HMS Resolution. His official task was to create drawings of the animals, places, and memorable scenes encountered, providing a visual record that was intended to supplement the written narrative. Upon returning to England, Webber was commissioned by the Admiralty to supervise the engraving and publication of his sketches, which resulted in the comprehensive atlas for the voyage publication.
Artist or Maker: John Webber
Dimensions: Approximately 20 × 27 cm
Medium: Engraving
Date: 1784
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Estimate | 200 - 300 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
Dahlströms Rare Prints
Harju maakond, Tallinn
Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
Estland
info@dahlstromsrareprints.com
© Software Copyright 2025 Skeleton. All rights reserved.