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Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) GRAINGER, JAMES M.D. The Sugar-Cane, a Poem in Four Books. Engraved frontispiece of the sugar cane plant. Half-title, [vii], [1-3], 4-167, pages, plus [i] errata. Contemporary full calf with spine gilt extra in five panels with raised bands, red morocco label; joints rubbed but quite firm. London: Dodsley, 1764
first and only edition An epic poem on the sugar cane with copious detailed historical footnotes on the running of plantations, the crops and the slaves, as well as notes on flora and fauna of the West Indies. The last 'Canto' is prefaced by a long 'Invocation to the Genius of Africa,' which is a bit misleading, because it's followed by 'Negroes when bought should be young and strong,' going into great detail as far as the clothing and feeding thereof. While this is a rather strange vehicle, it still is a really interesting view of the sugar cane plantations. Most interesting is the last book in which the good doctor elucidates on the best Africans for slaves and which duties the different tribal groups are best suited. In addition to the fascinating footnotes, an early owner has made a number of marginal notes in ink, most with classical references, 'Virgil' et al. An entire book has been written about this book, 'The Poetics of Empire, a Study of James Grainger's Sugar Cane" (John Gilmore, 2000).
