LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

26348

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea 1st Ed.

Currency:USD Category:Books / Fiction Books Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea 1st Ed.
<B>Jules Verne:<I> Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.</B></I></B></I> (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1873), first American edition, variant A, 303 pages, illustrated, original blue pictorial cloth with gilt decoration, 8vo (6" x 8.25"). This is the true American first edition. This Osgood edition, although dated 1873, was actually published in November 1872, the same month as Sampson Low's British edition. An edition was then produced by George M. Smith, also of Boston, in a very similar binding (Smith's has Captain Nemo using a sextant and reads "Under the Seas"), and it is this edition that is more frequently seen. The Osgood edition has decidedly sharper images. Although the reason for the scarcity is unknown, it is speculated that most of the Osgood copies were destroyed in the Great Boston Fire. The book has not been restored in any way. The binding is lightly shaken, covers shelf worn, small spot of cloth lifting from board, head and tail of spine frayed, corners frayed, light foxing to the preliminary pages, despite defects still in very good condition. Book is offered in a custom blue cloth covered slipcase. This is the finest specimen we have seen of this truly rare book. <I>From the Ventura Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Books & Catalogs (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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