Description

Rare and Valuable First English Edition: The first English edition of Gabriel de Foigny’s remarkable imaginary voyage, published in 1693, is notable for being the first printed use of the words “Australia” and “Australian.” This edition predates Matthew Flinders’ use of “Australia” by more than a century. The book, originally published in French in 1676, was banned by church authorities but republished in several locations.

Author’s Background: Gabriel de Foigny (c.1650-1692) was a rebellious and libertine character who clashed with church authorities. His career as a Franciscan monk was cut short due to his licentious behavior, leading him to flee to Geneva and Protestantism. It was during this self-imposed exile that he anonymously published the tale of Jacques Sadeur.

Story Synopsis: The narrative follows Jacques Sadeur, a sailor who survives shipwrecks and kidnappings, ultimately being dropped on the western shores of Australia by a gigantic winged monster. In this land, Sadeur, an hermaphrodite, is welcomed by a society of large-bodied hermaphrodites living in harmony. The Australians’ utopian rejection of the body fosters rationality and harmony, though Sadeur’s curiosity and arousal are frowned upon.

Cultural and Literary Significance: Foigny leans on the reputations of explorers like Marco Polo, Magellan, and de Quirós to lend credibility to his depiction of the southern continent. A contemporary English newspaper even presented the story as an authentic voyage account. The work combines major traditions, rich in satire and iconoclasm, and serves as a narrative response to utopian regimentation, particularly in the Pacific context.