“Baron Munchausen’s Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia” was published late in 1785, though its title page bears the date 1786. As a result of its immediate success, Rudolf Erich Raspe brought out a new edition with five additional “naval adventures.” In a series of tales purportedly document the adventures and exploits of the infamous Baron Münchausen, the real figure on which the character is based.