Original engraving entitle “Omai a Native of Ulaietea…Brought into England in 1774 by Tobias Furneauz Esq. Commander of his Majesty’s Sloop Adventure humbly inscribed to the Right Hon.ble John earl of Sandwich, First Commisioner for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britian and Ireland etc. etc. By his Lordship most devoted Servant Fra. Bartolozzi, published according to Act of Parl. 25th Oct. 1774.”

Omai was from the island of Ra’iatea and, with some misgivings from Captain Cook, boarded the ship Adventure under the command of Lieutenant Furneaux, serving as an interpreter for the remainder of Cook’s second voyage. At the end of 1773 Cook’s own ship, the Resolution, became separated from Furneaux’s by a violent storm; whereas Cook continued his voyage, the Adventure headed home for England. So it was in 1774 the first “Noble Savage” arrived in London, almost by accident. He soon became the toast of London society, having an audience with the King and attending balls and hunts. He spent two years in England, returning back to Tahiti on Cook’s third voyage to a hero’s welcome and a multitude of gifts. In this engraving he is shown dressed wearing a barkcloth toga with tattoos on his hands. Omai was the first tattooed Polynesian to set foot on English soil. Collection of Mark and Carolyn Blackburn.