(#151305) THE GERAL-MILCO; OR THE NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE IN A BRAZILIAN VALLEY OF THE SIERRA-PARICIS. A. R. Middletoun Payne.

THE GERAL-MILCO; OR THE NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE IN A BRAZILIAN VALLEY OF THE SIERRA-PARICIS. New York: Charles B. Norton, 1852. 12mo, pp. [1-4] [i] ii-iii [iv] [ix] x-xii [13] 14-264 [note: text complete; six preliminary leaves erratically foliated by the publisher], flyleaves at front and rear, inserted frontispiece map and three plates, several tables and illustrations in the text, original decorated green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold and blind, rear panel stamped in blind, yellow endpapers. First edition. "A hoax narrative of travel in the interior of South America, cunningly disguised as an authentic account ... Remarkably, Payne's account fooled both bibliographers and Inca scholars" (Howgego). The Inca empire discovered in Brazil by Payne and his companions is presented as a eutopia. The book's appendixes and a lengthy supplement describe a reformed calendar and provide detailed information on the social, political and military organization of the 3600 square mile Inca state. An early and important American utopian lost race novel. Reprinted in 1854 as RAMBLES IN BRAZIL: OR, A PEEP AT THE AZTECS, BY ONE WHO HAS SEEN THEM. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 1758. Costes and Altairac, Les Teres Creuses 86. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 51. Teitler 959. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978) or Reginald (1979; 1992). Not in Lewis or Negley. Not in Wright, American Fiction 1851-1875. Sabin 59278. Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips, cloth damp stained, text block foxed and a bit soiled, dime-sized chip from the front free endpaper, still a sound, very good copy. A presentable copy of a very scarce book. (#151305).

Price: $500.00

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