L'île à hélice

First edition illustrated with 80 drawings by Benett and 12 hors-texte in colors. Catalogue D for 1895 attesting to the first edition.
Publisher's binding known as "Au portrait collé". Signed Paul Souze plate on the cannonball. Lenègre et cie at foot of spine and on the anchor. Very fine first plate. Corners very slightly turned. Spine good, with a white stain on the title-label and a scratched area on the lighthouse vignette. Headcaps sunken. It should be noted that the lighthouse vignette is no longer sky blue but midnight blue. Second cover good, but with darker areas and a whitish spot. Warped copy, one leaf protruding.
Remarkably fresh paper, completely free of foxing, very appreciable.
Very handsome copy, despite minor defects.
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. Several acerbic remarks about Wagner can be read. A large part of the novel takes place in French Polynesia.