Lot 1116
1116
SOUTH AMERICA -- GUYANA/SURINAM -- BENOIT, P.J. Scènes de la vie américaine, description de la Guyane Hollandaise. Brux., Bruylant-Christophe & Comp., (1858). 96 pp. W. b&w lithogr. front., 49 full-p. b&w lithogr. plates on laid down India paper by Madou & Lauters w. tog. 99 illustr. Fol. Old green h. mor. w. marbled paper sides. (Bind. mildly rubbed, endpapers renewed; in v.g. condition).
Pierre Jacques Benoit (1782-1854), initially trained as a jeweler and goldsmith, visited the Dutch colony of Suriname in 1830, by then one of the centers of the slave trade. During his time in Suriname, he explored the coastal city of Paramaribo as well as the tropical interior, including the Jewish independent town of Savanna. Along the way, he produced dozens of drawings and paintings depicting architecture, plantations, slaves, and local rites, rituals, and customs. Included are views of Paramaribo, villages, public buildings, markets, plantation houses, dances, games, festivals, a funeral procession, costume, washing, billiard-playing, dwelling interiors, Indian utensils, jungle scenes, natural history plates, &c. There is also a depiction of a slave auction. This is the 2nd edition; the first edition appeared under a slightly differing title: 'Voyage à Surinam'. - Sabin 4737; Suriname-cat. UBA 579.€ 500
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