Voyage of discovery

We are issuing a set of stamps to mark the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook setting sail in one of the greatest voyages of discovery of all time aboard HM Bark Endeavour.

The 10-stamp set, four of which are presented in a miniature sheet, will include a selection of the original drawings and paintings of the indigenous peoples, landscapes of the Pacific and flora and fauna, some of which had never been seen before by Europeans, and which amazed the scientific establishment at the time.

Also featured are Cook himself, natural history artist, Sydney Parkinson and naturalist, Joseph Banks as well as an illustration of Tupaia, a Polynesian priest who joined the voyage as a navigator and translator.

During the expedition, Cook and the almost 100 men of his crew, including astronomers, artists and scientists, initiated the first European contact with Eastern Australia, mapped New Zealand and observed the transit of Venus across the Sun.

The Endeavour returned to the UK on 13 July 1771 after circumnavigating the globe, mapping over 5,000 miles of coastline, and on board were 3,000 specimens for scientific examination and hundreds of drawings which fascinated the public and amazed the scientific establishment.

Cook’s pursuit of new knowledge and information helped to correct the positions of many Pacific islands which had been incorrectly placed by earlier travellers. Ultimately, Cook’s voyage produced Pacific maps based on accurate information rather than conjecture. 

Stamp strategy manager Philip Parker said: ‘Our striking new stamps mark the 250th anniversary of one the most important voyages of discovery of all time. On board the Endeavour were scientists and artists who recorded their findings and the ship brought back thousands of specimens and illustrations which amazed society’.

The stamps and souvenir products can be pre-ordered now from here and are available from 7,000 Post Offices nationwide from 16 August.