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[BLAKE, William (1757-1827), engraver]. 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, 1806. 4tos. Illustrated with engraved vignette titles, 81 plates and maps, some folding, some in aquatint, 16 of the plates were engraved by Blake. [xx], [1]-[428]; [2], [i]-iv, [1]-[424] pp. List of Subscribers in volume I. Complete. Bound in later half brown calf over marbled boards, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, new endleaves (both volumes recased, spines and corners repaired, bindings worn, text toned, with some foxing, soiling, faint creasing throughout). Very good. SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED. “One of the most detailed descriptions ever written of an eighteenth century slave plantation society" (ONDB). The plates, based on drawings done by Stedman during his time in Surinam were done by various engravers including Blake. “In 1772 [Stedman] volunteered to accompany an expedition sent out by the States-General to subdue the revolted Negroes in Surinam, or Dutch Guiana... The field of his curiosity embraced not only all branches of natural history, but also economical and social conditions. His description of the cruelties practiced on the Negroes, and of the moral deterioration resulting to their masters, forms one of the most vivid indictments of slavery that have been penned" (ODNB). It is his work on this title that is presumed to have given Blake his fierce opposition to slavery. Abbey Travel 719. Sabin 91075.