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The Flight to France
1888 (November)
Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
Limited
St. Dunstan's House
Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.
London
with Numerous Illsutrations
Gilt edges
published November 1888
"A monsieur James Young
hommage de l'auteur
Jules Verne
Amiens, Juin 1902"
Collection Andrew Nash
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The Archipelago on Fire
1886
Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington
Crown Buildings, 188 Fleet Street,
London
with Fifty Illustrations
Gilt Edges
published December 1885
 
"A monsieur James Young
hommage de l'auteur
Jules Verne
Amiens, Juin 1902"
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| Re Above Autographs:
Who was "James Young"? We may NEVER know.
BUT a theory was proposed to me by Philippe Burgaud, Societe Jules Verne.
In the spring of 1902, "The Boys' Empire League" were preparing to present a "Gold-handled Walking Stick" to Jules Verne. Money was raised through the "Boys of Our Enpire" and I assume a delegation of the Empire League went to Amiens to make the presentation.
The below article was printed in "The Nottingham Evening Post (UK), Tuesday, April 29, 1902" so the timing would be about right for the delegation possibly being in Amiens in June of 1902!
Will it be possible to find out if James Young was a member, or an executive of "The Boys' Empire League".
| The Nottingham Evening Post (UK), Tuesday, April 29, 1902 |
The Tatler, May 7, 1902 (courtesy Philippe Burgaud)
See Letter AND Text of Letter below |
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The actual Letter from The Boys' Empire League is on display in the Jules Verne house in Amiens.
(The image of the letter below, I have "borrowed" with permission of the Blog creator and can be
seen on this website, about a visit to Amiens and the Jules Verne house:
https://red-violet.com/2017/05/01/cathedral-spires-and-jules-verne-in-amiens/ )
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The Boys' Empire League.
Hon. Secs: Howard H Spicer;
Andrew Melrose.
Headquarters: 56 Ludgate Hill,
London, E.C.
Dear Monsieur Verne,
You were kind enough to express
some interest in the presentation which we intimated
we were tying to get up some months ago from your
many admirers among British Boys. It gives us great
pleasure to forward herewith, a gold handled walking
stick with an inscription testifying to the warm esteem
in which you are held by thousands of the boys of
Great Britain.
Boys are not much burdened with pocket
money, as you know, and the gift is not to be prized for
its intrinsic value. But we are prefectly sure you will
value it as the result of numerous smal subscriptions
from your admirers all over the British Enpire. The
sums contributed have been small, but they have all
carried with them a strong appreciation of your books,
and have testified, enthusiastically, to the secure place
you have in the affections of British-born boys.
We are glad that the rumour about
your health, which found extensive circulation, has
not been justified by the fact, and it gives us great
pleasure to know that you have not suffered the
entire loss of your eyesight. In the name of the British
Boys whom we represent, we beg to express our joy in
your recovered health, to thank you for the wonderful
imagination which you have employed so successfully
for the delight of boys all over the world, and to
express the hope that you may long be spared to
enjoy the fame which is yours by well merited
popular judgment.
We have the honour to be
Dear Monsieur Verne,
Your Faithfully
Howard H. Spicer
Andrew Melrose
Hon. Secs.
Boys' Empire League
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BUT, the letter itself may "dash" the possibility that James Young visited Jules Verne as part of a Empire League delegation,
as the letter states: "It gives us great pleasure to forward herewith, a gold handled walking stick"
To me, that implies the letter and stick were "mailed" (i.e. forward herewith) to Jules Verne, and not presented in person!
The search for James Young will continue!
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