STEDMAN, John Gabriel (1744–1797). Narrative, of a five years’ expedition against the revolted Negroes of Surinam in Guiana on the wild coast of South America; from the year 1772, to 1777. London: for J. Johnson, and J. Edwards, 1796.
2 volumes, 4to (292 x 222 mm). 2 engraved vignette titles, 2 folding maps, 79 engraved plates (including several folding) by William Blake (thirteen signed and three attributed), Bartolozzi and others, 4pp. errata at end. (Some browning or spotting to plates, occasional offsetting to text from plates, dampstain at lower corner of Ll3–Nn and Oo3–Oo4 with few plates affected in Vol. I). Early half morocco, marbled sides, raised bands, gilt–lettering and single fillets in compartments, uncut (covers a bit rubbed, Vol. I with some darkening to spine near foot and a small spot of separation to rear joint also near foot). Provenance: Frankland (armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, rarely seen uncut. “Stedman, an officer in the Scots Brigade in Holland, volunteered for service against the negroes in Dutch Guiana. While out there he to all intents married the subject of Number 9, Joanna, a Mulatto, and had a son by her, who became a midshipman in the British Navy, but died young. [He] emerges as a most interesting and sympathetic character” (Abbey). Stedman describes the “cruelties practiced on the Negroes, and the moral deterioration resulting to their masters…” which “forms one of the most vivid indictments of slavery that have been penned” (ODNB). Abbey, Travel 719; Bentley 499; Sabin 91075.