![[Circumnavigation of Captain Cook]](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/b1fd42f4-77a0-4c82-b771-883726d4faa7/9cf0243b-0a84-444e-b9e9-a2c180c35e99/0001_lIeSQV_original.jpg)
[Circumnavigation of Captain Cook]
Pocket compass reputedly belonging to Rear-Admiral James Burney (1750-1821)
Estimate: £500 - £800
Auction: 18 June 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
Engraved paper dial under glass in mahogany case, brass gimbal, frame, hinges, and catch, lid with applied white metal initial ‘B’ (probably 19th century) and later manuscript label to underside reading ‘Belonged to Admiral Burney who went round the world with Capt Cook’, 2.2 x 6.4 x 6.4cm.
The lot sold with copied research and a copy of volume 2 only of James Burney's A Chronological History of the Voyages and Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean (London, 1806, 4to)
Provenance
James Henry Guy Burney (1914-1982), three-times great-grandson of Charles Rousseau Burney (1747-1819), cousin and brother-in-law of James Burney; given in 1981 by James Henry Guy Burney to the vendor, himself a four-times great-grandson of Charles Rousseau Burney.
Footnote
'In 1772 Burney's father used his influence with his friend John Montagu, fourth earl of Sandwich, first lord of the Admiralty, to procure James a berth as able seaman in Captain James Cook's ship, the Resolution, on Cook's second voyage of discovery to the south seas. Cook's expedition departed in June, and in November Burney was transferred to the Resolution's sister-ship, the Adventure, as second lieutenant, his first commission. Returning to England in 1774, he acted as interpreter for Omai, the first Tahitian to visit Britain. From 1776 to 1780 he sailed on Cook's third voyage of discovery, and witnessed Cook's killing by Hawaiians in 1779. During the voyage he was several times passed over for promotion because of an early altercation with his immediate superior, Captain Charles Clerke, commander of the Discovery. Only at the very end of the voyage was he promoted from first lieutenant to command of the Discovery, after Clerke's death' (ODNB).