Description de l'isle de Formosa en Asie [...].

12mo: xliv-406-[4] pp.; 18 pl. (some very min. soiling in some marg.).

Long grained red morocco, gilt central and corner ornaments on covers, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands, a.e.g. (spine sl. faded).

Scarce second French translation (1st Fr. 1705; 1st Engl. 1704) of a fictitious work written by a Jesuit under the pseudonym of George Psalmanaazaar (1679-1763) who claimed to be the first native of Formosa to visit Europe. A story that convinced his contemporaries for many years. He lectured in front of many learned societies about Formosan culture and language and was even offered a chair at Oxford University. He became less credible when real descriptions of Formosa contradicted his claims and had subsequently to confess his imposture in 1706. He then became a theologist essayist and friends with a.o. with Samuel Johnson. Illustrated with 18 plates (3 fold.) depicting a map of Japan, alphabet of Formosa, temples, costumes, etc. Title in red & black. Despite the remark (crossed out) by a contemporary hand who wrote "fin" on last page, the work is complete and ends with the table. We found another digitized copy with the same ms. note.
Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 282 and Japonica, 408-409. - Not in DBS.
Prov. AR (arm. bookpl.).