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 happen'd to the Author in his travels; particularly his conferences with the Jesuits, and others,in several parts of Europe. Also the history and 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. By George Psalmanaazaar, a native of the said island, now in London. Illustrated with several cuts. London, 1704. —George Psalmanaazaar, or Psalmanazar, made himself a sensation with this fascinating description of Formosa, which he simply made up, having never been there, though he made some of the most reputable men in London believe he was a native of the place. This is one of the most famous literary frauds of all time.
Books that do not easily fit any of our other categories.
Le plaisant ieu dv dodechedron de fortune, non moins recreatif, que subtil & ingenieux. Renouuellé & changé de sa premiere edition. A Lyon, Par Iean Huguetan. 1581. —Attributed by the librarian to “Jean, de Meun, approximately 1240-approximately 1305.” You can make a fortune-telling dodecahedron, and then use this book to find out what it is telling you.
Matrimonial
Ceremonies Displayed: wherein are exhibited the various
customs, odd pranks, whimsical tricks and surprising practices of near
one hundred different kingdoms and people in the world, not used in the
celebration and consummation of matrimony, collected from the papers of
a Rambling Batchelor; with a variety of remarks by him, serious and
humorous. To which is added the comical Adventures of Sir Harry
Fitzgerald, who had seven wives, with the character of each,—a genuine
story. Also an Epigram on Matrimony, in Latin and English. Published for
the information and entertainment of the Ladies and Pretty Girls of
Great Britain, not forgetting those of Dublin and Tipperary. London:
Privately printed, 1880. —Attributed by the librarian to Louis de Gaya,
author of a Treatise
on Arms in French. A reprint of a book from the late seventeenth
or early eighteenth century, but with no indication of the original
date. A specimen of the style of the opening Remarks by the translator:
"We rail at the Church of Rome, and not without reason, for exacting
implicit obedience from her sons; but alas! what signifies it to take a
few articles upon the credit of the priest; but to take a wife as our
author tells us they do in Muscovy and other places, without seeing her
once, or knowing what defects she may have, is somewhat hard upon the
subject. Heaven be praised, that here in England we are not forced to
buy a pig in a poke; nay, there are some married men in the world, that
were as intimately acquainted with their wives before marriage, as ever
they were after. See now what it is to live under a free government, and
to have Magna Charta on one's side."
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 happen'd to the Author in his travels; particularly his conferences with the Jesuits, and others,in several parts of Europe. Also the history and 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. By George Psalmanaazaar, a native of the said island, now in London. Illustrated with several cuts. London, 1704. —George Psalmanaazaar, or Psalmanazar, made himself a sensation with this fascinating description of Formosa, which he simply made up, having never been there, though he made some of the most reputable men in London believe he was a native of the place. This is one of the most famous literary frauds of all time.
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 happen'd to the Author in his travels; particularly his conferences with the Jesuits, and others,in several parts of Europe. Also the history and 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. By George Psalmanaazaar, a native of the said island, now in London. Illustrated with several cuts. London, 1704. —George Psalmanaazaar, or Psalmanazar, made himself a sensation with this fascinating description of Formosa, which he simply made up, having never been there, though he made some of the most reputable men in London believe he was a native of the place. This is one of the most famous literary frauds of all time.
Proofs of a Conspiracy Against All the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the secret meetings of Free Masons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies. Collected from good authorities, by John Robinson. The third edition. Philadelphia: T. Dobson and W. Corbet, 1798.
The Flowers Personified: being a translation of Grandville's "Les Fleurs Animées." By N. Cleaveland, Esq. Illustrated with steel engravings, beautifully colored. New York: R. Martin, 1849.
The
Motto Book, being a Catalogue of Epigrams by Fra
Elbertus. East Aurora: The Roycrofters, 1909. —A catalog of
beautifully designed and printed mottoes, humorous or profound or
both, in Elbert Hubbard’s trademark verbal and visual style.