Jules Verne — Michel Strogoff, de Moscou a Irkoutsk

Paris, Hetzel, c1902 . Cloth. A lovely early twentieth century edition of Jules Verne's 'Michel Strogoff', illustrated with colour plates by Ferat, and in the bright publisher's cartonnage binding. In the original French.A beautifully bound edition of Jules Verne's novel about Michel Strogoff, a courier for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Often identified as one of his best works, and first published in 1876, rather than being a work of science fiction, the novel explores the scientific phenomenon of the 'Liedenfrost effect&apos.Jauzac page 211, in 'Au Globe Dore' type three binding, B, published circa 1902 and printed by the Belin Brothers. Identified with 'Bibliotheque' running the length of 45mm to the title page, a portrait of Verne to a preliminary leaf, and each of the eight plates bearing the title of the novel and page number they should face to the tail, with &apos.' appearing after each page number.In a beautiful cartonnage binding by Verne's published, Hetzel. These bindings were produced ahead of Christmas with the hope that they would make popular gifts; Hetzel furthered the popularity of Verne's work with these publications.Illustrated by Jules-Descartes Ferat, who illustrated a number of other works by Verne as well as for Victor Hugo and Edgar Allan Poe. Engraved by Charles Barbant. With a portrait of Verne, a frontispiece, eight colour plates, and further in-text illustrations. Collated, complete. With a contemporary owner's inscription, dated 1902, to the half title.An excellent copy of this popular work. In the publisher's original pictorial cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with light fading to spine. Front board exceptionally bright, with instances of light fading to perimeters. Hinges starting, with boards holding firm. Contemporary inscription to half title. Internally, binding a touch strained to centre of text block. Pages lightly age toned, but generally clean, with scattered light spotting. Very Good . Ill.: J. Ferat. Very Good .