The Moon Voyage, Containing: "From The Earth To The Moon" and "Round The Moon"
"The Moon Voyage, published by Ward, Lock & Co. around 1910, brings together Jules Verne's groundbreaking paired novels From the Earth to the Moon and Round the Moon in a single, richly produced volume. Issued in an eye-catching pictorial cloth binding—one of Ward, Lock's most striking Verne designs—it captures the sense of awe, adventure and technological optimism that defined Verne's visionary approach to science fiction. This edition includes numerous dramatic illustrations by Henry Austin, whose atmospheric engravings heighten the tension and spectacle of Verne's lunar journey, from the thunderous cannon launch to the eerie stillness of space.
Within these pages, Verne imagines the post-American Civil War Gun Club embarking on an audacious experiment: to construct a colossal cannon capable of propelling a projectile to the moon. The story blends scientific speculation, humour, and political satire, offering a detailed and surprisingly plausible account of nineteenth-century space travel long before rocketry became a reality. Its continuation, Round the Moon, follows the crew as they sail through the void, observing celestial phenomena and confronting the perils of their untested voyage. Verne's gift for combining adventure with scientific curiosity remains as compelling today as it was upon first publication.
This early Ward, Lock edition carries all the hallmarks sought by collectors—handsome illustrated boards, both of Henry Austin plates, and the substantial production quality associated with the publisher's Edwardian Verne series. Examples in this decorative binding are increasingly scarce, especially complete and intact. An appealing acquisition for collectors of Jules Verne, early science fiction, and illustrated Edwardian adventure literature."
