Mistress Branican

Second issue of the first illustrated edition adorned with 83 drawings by Benett, 12 color plates and 2 color maps.
Catalogue FX in fine.
Publisher's binding known as "Au portrait imprimé", of which this is the first appearance. At the bottom of the upper cover "Collection hetzel" is on a black background, copies with a red background constituting the very first illustrated edition whereas this is the definitive version of the binding, published however during the same year. Second cover of type Lenègre e, with the medallion on black background.
Fine first cover, with beautiful red gilt. Spine sunned, headcaps worn, corners very lightly bumped, scattered foxing.
Adventure novel set primarily in Australia with a female heroine searching for her missing husband. The original title of the novel was to be Lady Franklin, as Jules Verne wanted to write a tribute to all women in general and to Sir John Franklin's wife in particular, who devoted her life to finding her husband who disappeared on the path to conquering the North Pole and also devoted her entire fortune to this, unfortunately in vain.