Antique 1926 French Jules Verne Illustrated Book – Une Ville Flottante – Collect

A striking piece of French literary history, this authentic 1926 French edition of Jules Verne’s Une Ville Flottante (A Floating City) is followed by Les Forceurs de Blocus (The Blockade Runners).
Published in Paris by Librairie Hachette as part of the Collection Hetzel – Les Voyages Extraordinaires, this 100-year-old antique French book features the original French-language text, period illustrations, and an extraordinary decorative red binding with elaborate scrolling ornamentation.
Measuring approximately 10” × 7”, this is a wonderful piece for the collector of French antiques, Jules Verne works, maritime history, or beautifully timeworn books.
The Story Behind the Book
Jules Verne’s Une Ville Flottante was inspired by his own 1867 transatlantic voyage aboard the massive steamship Great Eastern. Verne and his brother traveled aboard the ship to the United States, and the experience helped inspire his story of an enormous vessel that functioned almost like a small city at sea.
First published in book form in the 19th century, Une Ville Flottante became part of Verne’s celebrated Les Voyages Extraordinaires series.
The companion story, Les Forceurs de Blocus, is a maritime adventure set during the American Civil War and follows a dangerous voyage connected to the naval blockade and the cotton trade.
Together, these stories reflect Jules Verne’s fascination with travel, engineering, exploration, and extraordinary journeys.
Why This Book Is Unique
The first thing that captured my attention was the remarkable decorative cover.
The rich red binding, intricate scrolling design, ornate typography, and beautifully detailed decoration make this book a display piece even before it is opened.
Inside, the original French text and period illustrations offer a glimpse into early 20th-century French publishing and the continued popularity of Jules Verne’s work decades after the stories were first written.
This is an authentic antique French book printed in Paris in 1926—not a modern reproduction.
Beautiful displayed on a bookshelf, library table, writing desk, or antique book stand, it would also make a meaningful gift for a Jules Verne collector, Francophile, maritime history enthusiast, or lover of authentic French ephemera and books.
Antique Condition
This book is offered in antique condition with age-related wear consistent with a volume printed in 1926.
The decorative cover shows rubbing, edge and corner wear, and wear at the spine ends. Interior pages show natural age toning, scattered foxing, spotting, and areas of discoloration.
There is visible separation and weakness at the front interior hinge and binding, as clearly shown in the photographs. Due to the age and condition of the binding, the book should be handled with care.
The book has not been restored. Its patina, timeworn pages, and age-related imperfections remain part of its authentic history and character.
Please carefully review all photographs, as they are considered an important part of the condition description.
Details
Author: Jules Verne
Titles: Une Ville Flottante & Les Forceurs de Blocus
Publisher: Librairie Hachette, Paris
Collection: Collection Hetzel – Les Voyages Extraordinaires
Printing Date: 1926
Age: 100 years old
Language: French
Format: Illustrated hardcover
Approximate Size: 10” × 7”
Origin: France
Condition: Antique condition with age-related wear, foxing, toning, and binding weakness
Price: $68.00
One available.
Curated Treasures. Timeless Stories.