Jules Verne - Cinq semaines en Ballon/Voyage au centre de la terre - 1870

VERNE, Jules (1828–1905)
Five Weeks in a Balloon & Journey to the Center of the Earth. Paris: Bibliothèque d'Éducation et de Récréation, J. Hetzel et Cie [s.d., circa 1870-1880].
Description of the Lot
Octavo volume (27.5 x 18 cm), uniform contemporary binding.
A gathering of two of Jules Verne’s greatest masterpieces, bound together in a single volume in the tradition of Hetzel’s romantic editions.
The work comprises:
- Five Weeks in a Balloon: A Voyage of Discovery in Africa by three Englishmen, illustrated with engravings by Messrs. Riou and Montaut.
- Journey to the Center of the Earth, a work crowned by the French Academy, illustrated with vignettes by Riou.

Publisher’s red percaline binding with full cloth. Front boards richly decorated with a cold-pressed frame and a large central, cathedral/romantic-style motif. Spine with raised bands ornamented with gilded compartments and rules, bearing the gilded titles: "J. VERNE / 5 SEMAINES EN BALLON" and "VOYAGE AU CENTRE DE LA TERRE". Gilt edges.
The percaline is well preserved with its vivid original red color, showing slight wear at the head and tail and some minor rubbing on the corners. The gilded decorations on the spine remain particularly bright and sharp.
Text pages and wood-engraved plates in fresh condition, with a few scattered foxing marks typical for books of this period of publication. Text block solid and uniform.
Beautiful copy.