L'île à hélice

First edition illustrated with 80 drawings by Benett and 12 color plates. Catalogue D for 1895 attesting to the first edition.
Publisher's binding known as "Au portrait collé". Plaque signed Lenègre on the anchor. Lenègre et cie at foot of spine. Second cover of Lenègre e type.
Beautiful upper plaque, with sharp and brilliant gilding. Note that the lighthouse vignette is no longer sky blue but midnight blue.
Very handsome copy, despite minor flaws. Tiny black spots on the lower red border, one on the outer border. Small dark areas in the portrait. Corners slightly bent. Spine somewhat faded, rather well preserved, with the gilding slightly tarnished. 2 cm split at foot on upper joint. Upper headcap soft, rubbed and sunken. Tail headcap bent. Second cover with numerous stains and whitish marks. Pale foxing scattered throughout, generally fresh overall, but foxing on the title page.
Science fiction novel in which an island containing an entire city is propelled by propellers. The protagonists are a quartet of musicians, allowing Verne to convey his love of music. One reads several acerbic remarks about Wagner.