Beschreibung:

Title: An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, an Island Subject to the Emperor of Japan. Giving an Account of the Religion, Customs, Manners, &c. of the Inhabitants. Together With a Relation of What Happened to the Author in His Travels... Author: Psalmanaazaar, George Place London Publisher: Mat Wotton, et al Date: 1705 Description: [lvi], 288, [8] pp. Folding map and 15 engraved plates (2 folding). (8vo) period full paneled calf, later rebacking. Second Edition. First published the prior year. George Psalmanazar claimed to be the first Formosan to visit Europe. For some years he convinced many in Britain, but was later revealed to be an impostor. He later became a theological essayist and a friend and acquaintance of Samuel Johnson and other noted figures of 18th-century literary London. According to Psalmanazar, Formosa was a prosperous country with a capital city called Xternetsa. Men walked naked except for a gold or silver plate to cover their genitals. Their main food was a serpent that they hunted with branches. Formosans were polygamous and husbands had a right to eat their wives for infidelity. They executed murderers by hanging them upside down and shooting them full of arrows. Annually they sacrificed the hearts of 18,000 young boys to gods and priests ate the bodies. They used horses and camels for mass transportation and dwelled underground in circular houses. Lot Amendments Condition: Edges worn, ink notes on front free endpaper, three underlinings in red ink on title; some foxing and browning; very good. Item number: 240624