231. Verne, Jules. Autograph letter signed (“Jules Verne”), in French, 1 page (4 x 5.25 in.; 102 x 133 mm.), “Amiens”, France, 23 February 1904. Written to a correspondent known only as “Sir”. Slight spotting; otherwise, fine.

While recuperating from an illness, Jules Verne answers questions pertaining to some of his most celebrated novels.

Verne writes in full: Amiens, February 23, 1904 Dear Sir, Being very ill, I have not been able to answer your letter, and I can only do so briefly as my sight is very bad. Five Weeks in a Balloon [Cinq semaines en ballon] dates from 1863, my first novel...Regarding the discrepancy in dates between Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Seas [Vint mille lieues sous la mers] and Mysterious Island [L’Ile mystérieuse], I have reason to believe that it is an error. Always your very devoted, Jules Verne

Verne writes from the town of Amiens, where he had been elected town councilor in 1888. He was suffering from diabetes the last few years of his life and died from complications of the disease one year after he wrote this letter. Verne’s letters mentioning his novels are scarce, and this one referencing three, Five Weeks in a Balloon, Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Mysterious Island, is exceptionally desirable.
$1,500 - $2,500