An HIstorical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island subject to the Emperor of Japan. Giving an Account of the Religion, Customs, Manners.... by George Psalmanaazaar - 1704

London: Dan Brown, 1704 A fair copy of the 1st edition of this famous hoax, with 12 of 16 plates, one folding. Bound in newer quarter leather with marbled boards, and raised bands, blind-stamped designs, and title label to spine. Classed as 'fair' because it lacks 4 plates and there is some staining and occasional worming to margins. 'George Psalmanaazar' was born in France around 1679, and created false identities to enable him to travel more safely and cheaply across Europe. His first 'Irish' identity was too easily discoverable as there were many Irish people in Europe, so he moved to Japanese, and then finally Formosan. He was clearly highly intelligent and fluent with language because he managed to create an entire persona of a 'Formosan heathen', kidnapped by Jesuits, and then finally converted and redeemed by a Scottish priest in 1702. He travelled with the priest to London where he became a 'must have' guest at dinner tables - speaking gibberish and eating raw meat (Formosans apparently only ate meat raw). He was so successful that he made his account of Formosa into a book (writing apparently took around 2 months) and it sold out almost immediately it was published. He made up language (creating a new alphabet), customs, appearance, and history - borrowing from a range of sources including accounts of the Aztecs. Many challenged his authenticity, but his quick wits (and general prejudice against Jesuits and the Catholic Church) kept him afloat - even when challenged by Royal Society members. He eventually revealed the hoax, but had a later career as a writer, and was respected by many - including Samuel Johnson. Book contents: title page; dedication 5pp; preface pp i-xiv; errata 1p; An Account of the Travels pp 1-144; A Description of the Isle of Formosa pp 145-327 with 12 plates (lacking plates 9,10, 11, 12); Appendix pp 128 (!) - 131; Finis; contents 5pp; Finis. The binding is in near fine condition. Contents have some staining at times - generally at the bottom margin but on occasion affecting the bottom half of pages, including plates 14, 15 and 16. It does not affect the readability of the text. There is some worm damage to margins - bottom margin pp 210-231; bottom edge pp 252-264; top edge 276-278. There is some mispagination: 84-95-86; 178-177-178; 190-691-192. Contents otherwise clean with the occasional mark.