THE GREEN RAY ... Translated from the French by Mary de Hauteville. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1883. Octavo, pp. [i-v] vi [vii] viii [1-3] 4-312 + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "September, 1883" inserted at rear, 44 full page illustrations and title page vignette by L. Benett, publisher's pictorial gray cloth, front panel stamped in black, brown, green and gold, spine panel stamped in black, brown and gold, rear panel stamped in blind, floral patterned endpapers printed in gray. First edition in English. A romance of science, but not science fiction. When published in English this "little love story with a background of Scottish scenery" (DERBY MERCURY) received a number of good reviews in British papers. "The influence of two English authors is evident in this novel. The Scottish setting was derived from the works of Sir Walter Scott. Several characters are reminiscent of personages in Charles Dickens's NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. The 'green ray' is a genuine nautical phenomenon which has been described by scientists. It is seen by sailors as the sun sets." - Gallagher, Mistichelli and Van Eerde, p. 103. A translation of LE RAYON VERT (1882), this is the only edition using Mary de Hauteville's translation which THE DAILY NEWS called "excellent." Bleiler (1978), p. 199. Not in Reginald (1979; 1992). Myers 31. Taves and Michaluk V023. Gallagher, Mistichelli and Van Eerde A53. Gift inscription dated 2 February 1884 on the recto of the first leaf. Cloth lightly rubbed at edges, a very good copy. An excellent copy of one of the scarcest British editions of Verne's works. It was published in September 1883, preceding George Munro's pirated Seaside Library edition by a month; there was no contemporary hardbound American edition. (#160994).
Price: $3,750.00
No statement of printing.