Albert von Sack (1757-1829).

Beschreibung einer Reise nach Surinam und des Aufenthaltes daselbst in den Jahren 1805, 1806, 1807 [/1810, 1811, 1812], so wie von des Verfassers Rückkehr nach Europa über Nord-Amerika.

Berlin, Haude und Spener, 1821.

2 parts in 1 vol. [4], XX, 76, [2], 77-240; [4], XXXII, 99, [2], 100-124, [2], 125-180, [2], 181-184, [2], 185-187, [1 blank].

With 11 full-page engraved plates: 2 maps, 2 frontispieces, 2 engraved titles, 1 illustration of a Black enslaved plantation worker, 1 of snakes, 1 of hummingbirds and 2 anonymous schematics of steam technology. The plates were designed by W.M. Craig and engraved by various artists, while the maps were designed by M.A. de Lavaux (part 1) and Bähma after Hannemann (part 2).

Contemporary half calf with title label on spine

Rare complete copy of both volumes of Albert von Sack’s detailed account of his voyages to Suriname and the United States, featuring all original illustrations, in the original German.

Albert von Sack, Chamberlain to the King of Prussia, undertook two expeditions to Suriname for health reasons during the British occupation (1804-1814/16), specifically between 1805-1807 and 1810-1812. In these volumes, Sack provides extensive descriptions of the colony’s landscapes and its “natural resources,” documenting the flora, fauna, and human population. His observations are intricately woven with narratives of events from his stay. He pays particular attention to the Black and Indigenous peoples of Suriname, with especially the second volume offering detailed sections on their lives and conditions. A significant portion of the book also covers his travels in the United States, where he also examines the Black population, discussing their demographics and living standards. Additionally, he explores Native American communities and offers insights into contemporary advancements in steam engineering.

Although Von Sack was a German serving the Prussian court, the first volume was initially published in English in 1810 as A Narrative of a Voyage to Surinam; of a residence there during 1805, 1806 and 1807, and of the author's return to Europe by the way of North America, reflecting Suriname’s British occupation at the time. The second volume, which documents his second voyage, was first published in 1818 by the same publisher as the present 1821 edition. This first German edition is exceedingly rare, with only one incomplete copy traced to a 2009 Christie’s auction (sold for $22,500) and one record held in the Herzog August Bibliothek. All other purported 1818 copies listed in WorldCat actually reference the 1821 edition.

Printed on large, fine laid paper with high-quality full-page plates on extra-thick paper, the 1821 Berlin edition stands in stark contrast to the Dutch octavo edition of the same year. The Dutch edition, translated from German, includes only small engravings on the title pages.

Despite Suriname’s long history as a Dutch colony, this rare 2-volume edition is notably absent from major Dutch libraries, including the Dutch National Library (KB), the University of Amsterdam Library (UvA), and Dutch World Museums. The British Library also does not list a copy.

Condition: binding rubbed along edges. Slight browning to the plates, owner’s mark removed from title-page and repaired, numbered in ink on blank verso of title-page, small marginal tear in the hummingbird-plate, otherwise in very good condition and complete.

Reference:

Rouffaer/Muller p.625.

Sabin 74749.

Stevens, Rare Americana 2421 (English edition).

Not in Van Doorne/ Van Kempen (cf. 5835 for the Dutch ed.).