The Library of Imposters-Volume II. An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island Subject to the Emperor of Japan Giving an Axccount of The Religion, Customs, Manners, &c. of the inhabitants. Together with a relation of what happen'd to the Author in his Travels; particularly his Conferences with the Jesuits, and others, in severl Parts of Europe. Also the History nd Reasons of his Conversion to Christianity, with his Objections against it (in defence of Paganism) and their answers. To which is Prefix'd a Preface in Vindication of himself from the Reflections of a Jesuit lately come from China, with an Account of what passed between them. Illustrated with 16 pp. Photogravures. Limited Edition of 750.

The Library of Imposters-Volume II. An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island Subject to the Emperor of Japan Giving an Axccount of The Religion, Customs, Manners, &c. of the inhabitants. Together with a relation of what happen'd to the Author in his Travels; particularly his Conferences with the Jesuits, and others, in severl Parts of Europe. Also the History nd Reasons of his Conversion to Christianity, with his Objections against it (in defence of Paganism) and their answers. To which is Prefix'd a Preface in Vindication of himself from the Reflections of a Jesuit lately come from China, with an Account of what passed between them. Illustrated with 16 pp. Photogravures. Limited Edition of 750.

Author: Psalmanaazaar, George (c. 1679 – 3 May 1763)

4to.(6.25" x 9.675") 1926. Psalmanaazaar, George. London. Robert Holden & Co. Limited Edition of 750. Full light blue cloth boards. Spine with faded gilt title/author towards head, faded gilt "London" at foot, single gilt rule to head and foot of spine. Top edge gilt, printed endpapers, rough cut fore-edge and foot. Lacking plate 12, unaccounted for plate of Formosa letters. Attestation page states: "This Edition is limited to 750 copies in England and the United Staes of America, of which this is Number…....", no number provided.

From Wiki: George Psalmanazar (c. 1679 – 3 May 1763) was a Frenchman who claimed to be the first native of Formosa (today Taiwan) to visit Europe. For some years, he convinced many in Britain, but he was eventually revealed to be of European origin. He subsequently became a theological essayist, and a friend and acquaintance of Samuel Johnson and other noted figures in 18th-century literary London. In order to travel safely and affordably in France, Psalmanazar first pretended to be an Irish pilgrim on his way to Rome. After learning English, forging a passport, and stealing a pilgrim's cloak and staff from the reliquary of a local church he set off, but he soon found that many people he met were familiar with Ireland and were able to see through his disguise. Deciding that a more exotic disguise was needed, Psalmanazar drew upon the missionary reports about East Asia that he had heard of from his Jesuit tutors and decided to impersonate a Japanese Christian convert. At some point he further embellished this new persona by pretending to be a "Japanese heathen". Due to a lack of Western knowledge of Japanese cultures, Psalmanazar displayed fictitious customs to convince the public of the authenticity of his background. These so-called customs included eating raw meat spiced with cardamom and sleeping while sitting upright in a chair. Building upon this growing interest in his life, Psalmanazar published a book in 1704, An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island subject to the Emperor of Japan. This book purported to be a detailed description of Formosan customs, geography and political economy; it was in fact completely fabricated. The "facts" contained in the book are an amalgam of other travel reports, especially influenced by accounts of the Aztec and Inca civilizations in the New World, and by embellished descriptions of Japan. Thomas More's Utopia may also have served as an inspiration. Some of his claims about Japanese religion seem to also be derived from a misinterpretation of the Chinese idea of three teachings, as he claims that there were three different forms of "idolatry" practiced in Japan. Psalmanazar's book was an unqualified success. It went through two English editions, and French and German editions followed. After its publication, Psalmanazar was invited to lecture on Formosan culture and language before several learned societies, and it was even proposed that he be summoned to lecture at the University of Oxford. In the most famous of these engagements he spoke before the Royal Society, where he was challenged by Edmond Halley. In the following years Psalmanazar worked for a time as a clerk in an army regiment until some clergymen gave him money to study theology. Psalmanazar then participated in the literary milieu of Grub Street, writing pamphlets, editing books and undertaking other low-paid and unglamorous tasks. He learned Hebrew, co-authored Samuel Palmer's A General History of Printing (1732), and contributed a number of articles to the Universal History. He even contributed to A Complete System of Geography and wrote about the real conditions in Formosa, pointedly criticising the hoax he himself had perpetrated. He appears to have become increasingly religious and disowned his youthful impostures. This newfound religiosity culminated in his anonymous publication of a book of theological essays in 1753.

We are currently putting all 5000+ titles online, but if there is a specific title you are looking for, please reach out to sidekerbookselleratgmail.com, we may just have it!

Free shipping via USPS for United State purchaser within the continental U.S., International shipping determined using USPS Priority Express, DHL, FedEx, or Parcel Monkey.

Sonny Ideker Bookseller is located within City Antiques in Historic Roswell, Georgia at 700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA. 30076. We would love to have you visit or email us at sidekerbookselleratgmail.com for specific wants or needs, thanks!

Find Us On: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sonny-Ideker-Bookseller-Rare-Antiquarian-Leather-Vellum-Bound-Books-100068669041560/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonnyIdekerBookseller/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonny_ideker_bookseller Flickr: https://flic.kr/ps/2v6pn4 Website: https://sonnyideker.weebly.com/ Antique Books, Old Leather Book, Old Vellum Book, Decorative Binding, Antiquarian Book, Vintage decorative, Ancient Leather, Rare Books, Decorative Books, Decorative Leather, Beautiful Decorative Book That Rare Book Guy Sonny Ideker City Antiques & Interior Arts Georgia Antiquarian Booksellers Association Colette French Pastries