2 volumes in 1, continuously paginated. xii, [4], 520; [2], 521-736, 739-962, [16] pp. (complete despite gap in pagination). With 14 copper-engraved maps & plates, some folding. (4to) 9¾x7½, modern red buckram, spine lettered in gilt.
Classic history of Surinam, describing the commerce of the Dutch West India Company, the Company of Berbice, and the Society of Surinam in Guiana. "This description of Guiana or the Wild Coast of South America, its geography, history, inhabitants, animals, with an account of its discovery and the colonies of the Spaniards, French and Portuguese, is said by Mr. Warden to be 'by far the best work ever published on the countries described.' The author, Jan Jacob Hartsinck (1716-1779) was Director of the West India Company (WIC), and a man of very high standing, who had access to all the authorities" - Sabin 30712. Includes an account of the rebellion in Surinam (1763-64) in which the colony had lost almost half of its black and perhaps an even larger percentage of its white population. Provenance: A Northern California private collector.
Condition:
Some foxing, soiling and aging to contents, a few leaves repaired, occasional pencil marks and underlinings to text, formerly in the Astor Library, New York, with rubberstamps to plate and map versos and a few other places, ink name of Hermanus Jonas to title-page