AZEMOR. ANONYMOUS Azémor ou Tableau des Moeurs et Coutumes du Pays de Solamir. Paris, Chez les Libraires Associes, 1787
Two volumes, duodecimo; contemporary French quarter calf, boards rubbed, some chipping to spines.
The very rare first edition of this work, which purports to be the translation of an ancient text.
The young Greek Azémor, travelling with Tiresias in order to learn the ways of government, journeys to Solamir, known only to a few Europeans, and which can only be reached after journeying right across Egypt. Described as one of the most beautiful nations in the world, it has for centuries dwelt in the peace and repose of temperate laws allied with the naturally amiable disposition of the locals. Tiresias comments: 'Je connais un pays dans l'univers, oů les vices répandus sur la surface du Globe n'ont point encore pénétré. Cette contrée heureuse est Solamir'. Enchanted, Azémor describes the felicity of the utopian society and proceeds to fall in love with Tiresias's daughter Mirza. The later books chronicle Azémor's travels throughout the world before his eventual return and marriage.
Unknown in most libraries.
Not in Barbier.
$A1550
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