MICHAEL STROGOFF, The Courier of the Czar

1877. Verne, Jules. MICHAEL STROGOFF. Translated by W.H.G. Kingston. Revised by Julius Chambers. With Ninety Full-Page Illustrations. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1877. 6 pp undated ads. Original green cloth pictorially decorated in black and gilt, beveled.

First American Edition of this historical tale of adventure taking place during a Siberian revolt by the Tartars. The czar must get a message to his brother the arch-duke, in Irkutsk, for which he chooses his best courier, Michael Strogoff. The first publication in English, in October 1876, was in a wrappered American edition by Frank Leslie; Sampson Low's U.K. edition came out two months later (in December 1876, despite the 1877 date on the title page). This Scribner Armstrong edition came out a few weeks later, in January 1877; it sold so well that by February a third edition was being advertised. This is a near-fine copy, with minor rubbing at the extremities but otherwise scarcely any external wear or soil (a few leaves stand slightly proud). This highly-sought Verne tale seldom turns up in any better condition. Taves & Michaluk V015; Edwards 15.