[DESCHAMPS (Jules)]. The Journey of Three Distinguished Turk - Lot 3

[DESCHAMPS (Jules)]. The Journey of Three Distinguished Turks. A story mingling fact and fiction, as are almost all the stories one reads. Translated from Arabic. Published in Folichonopolis [Rouen], by Polissonnet, rue du Badinage [Espérance Cagniard], 1767 [1881]. In-8, paperback, printed pasted board cover, [4] ff., VIII and 93 pp., untrimmed. A rare Rouen reprint, printed in a small run, of this curious satirical account published anonymously in the 18th century. Through the fictional lens of three Turkish travelers discovering France, the author delivers a humorous and critical account of their journey, particularly in Normandy. This reprint reproduces on its title page the playful address from the original edition: “In Folichonopolis, at Polissonnet’s, Rue du Badinage, M.DCC.LXVII.” It was actually printed in Rouen by Espérance Cagniard in 1881; the “printed” date is October 20, 1881. It is listed as having been annotated by J.-Émile Deschamps in a recent auction catalog, which also describes it as rare. A fine print on beautiful laid paper, embellished with headbands, initials, and engraved ornaments in the 18th-century style. A paperback copy, with full margins, preserved in its original covers. The words “Printed in a limited edition” are printed on the back of the half-title page. The copy is in fair condition: the cover is faded, stained, and creased, with small losses and tears at the top and bottom edges and the corners; the spine is worn. The book is unbound and broken at pp. 50–51; several quires are fragile. The interior, however, is fairly fresh and has wide margins.