EQUIANO, Olaudah (1745-1797). The Life and Adventures of Olaudah Equiano; or Gustavus Vassa, the African, from an Account Written By Himself. New York: Samuel Wood & Sons, 1829.

12mo. Original blue printed wrappers (covers detached, partial losses along spine edges, soiling).

FIRST ABRIDGED AMERICAN EDITION. The Life and Adventures of Olaudah Equiano documents the life story of Equiano, who was born in Africa in what is now Nigeria and was sold into slavery as a child. He eventually earned his freedom and in 1789 published The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. This work played a large role in turning public opinion in Great Britain against slavery. Because of this Equiano found himself a target of pro-slavery forces who questioned his origins and narrative in an attempt to discredit his story. This edition of Equiano's narrative was abridged by Quaker abolitionist and women' rights activist Abigail Field Mott (1766-1851) for distribution to Black children attending the African Free Schools in New York City. Sabin 98662.