MICHAEL STROGOFF, THE COURIER OF THE CZAR ... Translated by W. H. G. Kingston. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1877 [i.e. December 1876]. 12mo, pp. [i-v] vi [vii] viii-ix [x-xii] [1] 2-377 [378-380: blank] + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "October, 1878" inserted at rear, 89 full-page plates with illustrations by J. Ferat, two inserted folded maps, publisher's pictorial bevel-edged terra-cotta cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black and gold, rear panel stamped in blind, all edges gilt, salmon endpapers. First British (and first hardcover) edition. Of two known binding variants, this copy has "The Courier of the Czar" but not Verne's name on the front cover (other copies have the opposite). The publisher's catalogue inserted at the rear is later than the usually seen 24-page catalogue dated October 1876. Translation of MICHEL STROGOFF, MOSCOU-IRKOUTSK (Paris: Hetzel, 1876). The first edition in English was an edition published in paper wrappers by Frank Leslie in October 1876. This Sampson Low edition was published in December 1876 (despite the 1877 date on the title page), followed a few weeks later, in January 1877, by Scribner, Armstrong's American hardcover edition (printed from the Sampson Low plates). Although not mentioned on the title page, this edition includes "The Mutineers: A Romance of Mexico" ("Un Drame au Mexique"), Verne's first published story (MUSÉE DES FAMILLES, July 1851). MICHAEL STROGOFF is one of Verne's best books. According to Leonard S. Davidow "Jules Verne has written no better book than this, in fact it is deservedly ranked as one of the most thrilling tales ever written" (foreword, Classic Romances of Literature: Michel Strogoff [Reading, Penn.: The Spencer Press, 1937]). A play based on the novel was written by Verne and Adolphe d'Ennery. Several films, the first a 1914 silent film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton, and at least one TV mini-series, are based on the novel. MICHAEL STROGOFF was republished as a Scribner Classic in 1927 with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. Myers 40. Taves and Michaluk V015. Neat May 1884 gift inscription on the front free endpaper. Touch of wear at spine ends and corner tips, a tight, bright, very good copy. A lovely, superior copy of this book. (#164547).
Price: $1,500.00
No statement of printing.