Verne - Aventures de Maître Antifer - 1850

MAÎTRE ANTIFER, TRADE MAPS, FOOLISHNESS AND ADVENTURE
This specimen of Maître Antifer by Jules Verne belongs to the famous Hetzel publishing production, recognizable for its extraordinary illustrated binding and for a richly iconographic layout. The volume perfectly embodies the fusion of adventure narrative, geographical dissemination, and spectacular editorial design typical of the Voyages extraordinaires. The work, published at the end of the 19th century, stands out for its abundant illustrations and for the strong visual identity of the binding, conceived as a prestigious object as well as for reading. The present specimen preserves these characteristics, though showing signs of use consistent with its history.
MARKET VALUE
Similar copies, in Hetzel illustrated editorial binding and complete with plates, generally range between 300 and 800 euros, with higher figures for copies in excellent condition or with particularly fresh colors. Copies with wear on the spine or marked signs of use, as in the present case, are more realistically placed in the 250–450 euro range.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Original Hetzel red plush leather binding illustrated and stamped in black and gold on the cover and spine (typical Hetzel), with title. Rich iconographic apparatus with numerous illustrations in the text and plates full-page. Present illustrated title page and full-page plates. Wear on the spine with discolorations and abrasions, rounded corners, boards with signs of use; interior with some natural foxing. In old books, with a multi-century history, a few imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description. Pages: (2); 4unn; 420; 8unn; (2).

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Mirifiques Aventures de Maître Antifer.
Paris, J. Hetzel et Cie, late 19th century.
Jules Verne.

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
Maître Antifer is part of the great narrative construction of the Voyages extraordinaires, the project with which Verne intended to “tell the world” through adventure. In this novel, the plot revolves around a treasure hunt built on geographical coordinates, mathematical riddles, and global relocations: a perfect example of the almost cartographic dimension of Verne’s storytelling. The work reflects 19th-century interest in science, geography, and exploration, transforming them into narrative elements. The Hetzel edition amplifies this setup through a rich visual apparatus that translates the travel and discovery imagery into images.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Jules Verne (1828–1905), French writer, is considered one of the fathers of science fiction and scientific adventure literature. His works, published largely by Hetzel, combine scientific rigor and imaginative storytelling, contributing to the diffusion of technical and geographical culture in the 19th century.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Hetzel editions of the Voyages extraordinaires are famous for their diverse binding variants (illustrated boards), often produced in multiple states and colors. Maître Antifer was published in the late 19th century and belongs to Verne’s mature production phase. Copies in original binding are today particularly sought after by collectors, especially when complete and well preserved.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
– Bottin, Hetzel, late 19th-century editorial catalogs
– J.-J. Vierne, Jules Verne et le roman scientifique, Paris, 1973
– Margot, Bibliographie des éditions Hetzel, numbers related to Maître Antifer
– ICCU / OPAC SBN: records relating to Italian and French editions of the Voyages extraordinaires
– BnF, Catalogue général: Verne, Maître Antifer, Hetzel editions
– WorldCat, records relating to the late 19th-century Parisian Hetzel editions