From the Earth to the Moon. By Jules Verne. Illustrations by Robert Shore. Collector’s Edition. Easton Press. Norwalk, 2002.

French author Jules Verne pioneered numerous literary genres and produced some of the bestselling novels of the late nineteenth century. His Voyages Extraoadinaires were particularly popular. These novels and short stories were a series of exploration and adventure tales that have continued to be classics–works like A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and Around the World in Eighty Days. But aside from those titles, probably none is more significant than From the Earth to the Moon. Originally published in 1865, it tells the story of a group of American gun enthusiasts who design a cannon for shooting people to the moon. Its speculative concept has since been dubbed a “space gun,” but it is also sometimes referred to as a “Verne gun” because of this very novel. From the Earth to the Moon was one of his first published books. He eventually wrote a sequel titled Around the Moon. Together they proved significant contributions to his list of great works.

This collector’s edition is in fine condition. In the original blue leather, finely gilt stamped. Raised bands. Gilt spine label. Text block fine. Gilt edges. Silk moire endpapers and bookmark sewn in. With the publisher’s original pamphlet and blank bookplate laid in.

A fine collector’s copy by Jules Verne.