Auszuge aus den Briefen und Papieren des Generals Freyherrn von Riedesel und Seiner Gemalinn, gebornen von Massow. Ihre beyderseitige Reise nach America und ihren dortigen Aufenthalt betreffend. Zusammengetragen und geordnet von ihrem Schwiegersohne Heinrich dem XLIV. Grafen Reufs. Gedruckt als Manuscript fur die Familie.
[Berlin: 1800] first edition, of the pre publication edition, issued for members of the family, 1/60 copies on fine, thick paper, octavo, [2], [1] - 386 pp., recently re-backed, original gilt spine laid down, new period style spine label, period style marbled boards, new endpapers with former owner's nineteenth century bookplate laid down, original spine somewhat worn and creased due to the stress of opening this thick book, some finger soiling and wear to several leaves, else very good.
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"First edition, privately printed for the author's family (according to Sabin 260 copies were printed two hundred on ordinary paper and sixty on fine paper, all for presentation), preceding the regular edition printed in Berlin in 1800 and with a different collation, under the title Die Berufs-Reise nach America (Clark refers to the second edition as the "first edition for general circulation"). A reprint of the second edition followed in 1801, a Dutch edition in 1802, and an abridged English translation (New York: 1827), the latter with "numerous passages omitted ... to nearly forty pages of the German edition. They were left out because the translator considered them a little indelicate. See North American Review XXVI, 224" (Sabin 71301). Howes R-284 (b), Sabin 71299: "The volume was prepared and sent to the press in 1799, but was not finished till after the death of General Riedesel in January, 1800. Most of the letters were written by Madame Riedesel." Clark, Old South I:295: Mme. Riedesel's narrative and descriptions are written with impressive directness and simplicity; there is a quality of genuineness about them that bespeaks her sterling character and the honesty of her record. The section on her life in Virginia is brief but revealing; it seems clear that the German officers were well treated as prisoners by the Americans.
Baroness Riedesel's book is considered one of the most accurate eyewitness accounts of the Burgoyne Campaign. The translator for the 1827 New York edition remarks that the memoirs "are a genuine appendix to American history. They trace national events, and delineate the state of society, in this country, at one of the most momentous epochs. Names that will go down to posterity, with the memory of lofty actions and events of a new, lasting, and far-spreading character, are here brought together by one, who was the friend, the associate, the companion, or at least, the acquaintance of their bearers; of Washington, Gates, Schuyler, Carleton, Burgoyne, Phillips, and the person the nearest related to the Noble authoress, General Riedesel."
The author, thirty-one years of age at the time of the events described in her book, arrived in Canada with three daughters in tow-ages four years, two years, and ten weeks. While on parole in New York City in 1779, another daughter was born, whom she named America. For more on this remarkable woman see Elizabeth Ellet, et al, Revolutionary Women in the War for American Independence (Greenwood Press, 1998, pp., 209 et seq): "Her graphic picture of the war and American society is also an exhibition of female energy, fortitude, and conjugal devotion." Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online: "Friederike's journal and letters provide an almost unique source of information for an important period in the history of Canada and the United States." Not in Lande or Toronto Public Library."
We have not been able to trace a copy on thick paper of this edition in the trade, one copy of this work printed on regular paper was sold recently in 20091, not in Brinley, Streeter, nor in Rosenbach, etc.
