Jules Verne: Book: Robur the Conqueror

This page last updated: July 20, 2025

Robur-le-Conquérant - 1886

Robur the Conqueror - 1887

[Voyages Extraordinaires #28 - 1 Volume - Les Tours de Monde]

Below are the Original Drawings for the Albatross

.Bibliographic Reference	French (J-M Margot)	Jules Verne Encyclopedia	Myers Bibliography	Galagher Bibliography
	RC	V030	M12	A61

Alternate English Titles:

Robur the Conqueror

The Clipper of the Clouds

A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine

Plot Synopsis:
(courtesy of D. Kytasaari - http://epguides.com/djk/JulesVerne/works.shtml)

Strange events are occurring around the world, involving lights, sounds and flags that are hung in seemingly impossible to get to locations. At the meeting of the Weldon Institute in Philadelphia, PA, Uncle Prudent (President) and Phil Evans (Secretary) and the membership debate about whether their balloon the Goahead, should have its directional screw located in the front or the back. A man called Robur interrupts and takes over their meeting; he insists that to master the skies, a flying vehicle must be heavier than air. His remarks infuriate the balloonists and after their meeting, Uncle Prudent and Phil are kidnapped and taken on an around the world trip in the Albatross, Robur's heavier than air "Clipper of the Clouds".

Book Collecting Information:

Hetzel Editions:

First English Editon:

Clipper of the Clouds
1887
Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington
London

234 Pages, Illustrated

First US
Edition:

A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine
{1900}
M. A. Donohue & Company
Chicago

182 Pages
with DustJacket
Green pictorial cloth with balloon airship
Copyright 1887 by George Munro
6 pages of adverts at rear of book

First US Edition - Paperback - Copyright 1886:

Robur the Conqueror
or, A Trip Round the World in a Flying Machine
nd - Copyright 1886 (on cover)
George Munro, Publisher
17 to 27 Vandewater Street,
New York

Seaside Library Edition, 25c
No. 152 (listed in list on back cover)

Base of cover: ... Second Class Rates. - June 21, 1887

Stamped on Title page:
*John Rogers*
Dealer In
Imported & Domestic
Cigars & Tobacco
A Full Line Of
Stationery, Periodicals,
Fancy Goods, & C.
50 Federal St., Allegheny, PA

Gary Munson Collection
Collection Andrew Nash

First US Edition - Paperback - Dated 1887:

Robur the Conqueror
1887 (May)
Geo Munro
Vanderwater,
New York

Seaside Pocket Edition

Image Courtesy of Dana Eales

Other Editions:

1889	*The Clipper of the Clouds* 1889 Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Limited St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. London New and Cheaper Edition
1891	*The Clipper of the Clouds* 1891 Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Ltd London NOT Pears gilt titling New and Cheaper edition 7 illustrations Non-Pears' Gilt Title Description Image courtesy of Andrew Cox Rare Books Brown Cover - Collection Andrew Nash
1891	*The Clipper of the Clouds* 1891 Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Ltd London NOT Pears gilt titling in banner New and Cheaper edition 7 illustrations Non-Pears Gilt Banner Description
1891	*The Clipper of the Clouds* 1891 Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Ltd London New and Cheaper Edition Pears Soap Edition - description
1891	*Clipper of the Clouds* 1891 Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington London "With Seven Illustrations" New and Cheaper Edition 7 illustrations 192 pages Pears Soap Edition - description Collection Andrew Nash
1892	*Clipper of the Clouds* 1892 Sampson Low London New and Cheaper
The following are New and Cheaper Variants Var A - Clouds at top of Spine / Jules Curly "J" / 2 page ads in rear Var B - NO Clouds at top of spine / Jules slanted "J" / NO ads / Book titles rear of Title page Var B-2 - NO Clouds at top of Spine / Jules slanted "J" / NO ads / Book title rear of Title page / more Brown ink on Cover Var C - Clouds at top of Spine / Jules slanted "J" / NO ads / Book titles rear of Title page Later New and Cheaper Edition - Colour Frontis
nd - circa 1900 1) presented 1900 2) & another BkPlate 1905 2 pages ads in rear - Palmistry & Phrenology	New and Cheaper Variant A The Clipper of the Clouds nd - presented 1900 & Bookplate 1905 Sampson Low, Marston & Company Limited St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. London New and Cheaper Edition Seen with Tissue between Frontis and Title 192 pages * List of Illustrations, says "He was going to save her crew ...... 191" BUT all copies printed WITH this illustration at page 190" illustrated (a frontispiece + 40 full page illus) Variant A Clouds on top of spine Jules on cover with "curly J" Frontice = Crowd with Telescope " Nevere had an eclipse produced such a wonderful display of optical instruments" 2 page ads in rear - Palmistry/Phrenology ads page 189 blank, page 190, illustration "He was going to save her crew" last page (pg 192) bottom: "Gilbert and Rivington Limited, St. John's House, Clerkenwell Road, E.C." book is 28mm thick Clouds vs NO Clouds Some images courtesy of Andrew Cox Rare Books Collection Andrew Nash
nd On reverse of the Title page is a book list! (shown above) "Uniform with this Volume With numerous Illustrations, 2s6d; gilt edges, 3s, 6d. each" (Ed: Verne books listed) Adrift in the Pacific The Castle of the Carpathians Mistress Branican The Purchase of the North Pole	New and Cheaper Variant B The Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low, Marston & Company Limited St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. London New and Cheaper Edition 190 pages * List of Illustrations, says "He was going to save her crew ...... 191" BUT all copies printed WITHOUT this illustration" Variant B Jules on cover slanted "J" and dots below "ul" NO CLouds on top of Spine Frontice = Albatross "The Clipper of the Clouds" NO ads in rear List of books "Uniform with this Volume" on rear of Title page (Verne books listed are circa 1890/1891) last page (pg 190) bottom: "Printed by Gilbert and Rivington Ld, Little Sutton Street, Clerkenwell, EC" NO illustration at page 191 book is 25mm thick Variant B (25mm Left) vs Variant A (28mm Right) Collection Andrew Nash
nd	New and Cheaper Variant B-2 The Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low, Marston & Company Limited St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. London New and Cheaper Edition 190 pages * List of Illustrations, says "He was going to save her crew ...... 191" BUT all copies printed WITHOUT this illustration" Variant B-2 same as above Variant B, except MORE Brown ink imprint on cover, not due to shift right or shift up! NO illustration at page 191 First: More Brown Streaks to the Right of the Black vs - More Brown above peak vs - More Brown above Peak vs More Brown above detail of ship hull vs Collection Andrew Nash
nd - circa 1906	New and Cheaper Variant C The Clipper of the Clouds nd - Inscribed 1906 & another with School Prize Bookplate dated 1907 Sampson Low, Marston & Company Limited St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. London New and Cheaper Edition 190 pages * List of Illustrations, says "He was going to save her crew ...... 191" BUT all copies printed WITHOUT this illustration" Variant C same as above Variant B, except Clouds on Spine Jules on cover slanted "J" and dots below "ul" Clouds on top of Spine Frontice = Albatross "The Clipper of the Clouds" NO ads in rear List of books "Uniform with this Volume" on rear of Title page (Verne books listed are circa 1890/1891) last page (pg 190) bottom: "Printed by Gilbert and Rivington Ld, Little Sutton Street, Clerkenwell, EC
nd - Colour Frontis - circa 1908?	The Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low, Marston & Company Limited London New and Cheaper Edition 176 pages Jules on cover slanted "J" and dots below "ul" Clouds on top of Spine Frontice = Colour Albatross " The Clipper of the Clouds"
nd (circa 1910)	Clipper of the Clouds nd (circa 1910) Sampson Low, London Small Ship Cover
nd (inscr 1910)	*Clipper of the Clouds* nd (inscr 1910) Sampson Low London Art Deco Series
nd - 1901 to 1910	A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine nd M. A. Donohue and Company Chicago Jules Verne Series (2 men in a balloon) Title page shows copyright 1887 George Munro Contains the Verne story: Robur the Conqueror (shown at the top of every page), 181pgs and then 8 Edgar Allan Poe Short Stories (pages numbered 111 to 182) - The Fall of the House of Usher - The Pit and the Pendulum - The Premature Burial - The Masque of the Red Death - The Cask of Amontillado - The Imp of the Perverse - The Island of the Fay - The Oval Portrait Then 6pgs book catalogue Collection Andrew Nash
nd - circa 1900-1915	A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine nd M. A. Donohue and Company 7x1-733 So. Dearborn Street Chicago Dustjacket shown Red Cloth cover No Series mentions on DJ Ads use 711 South Dearborn Street AND 7x1-733 So. Dearborn Street The Ads on the Dustjacket are NOT for the series that this book is in: Famous Alger Books (DJ Rear Flap) Motor Boat Boys Series by Louis Arundel (DJ Rear cover) Motor Maid Series by Catherine Stokes (DJ Rear cover) The Victory Boy Scouts by Captain Alan Douglas, Scoutmaster (DJ Front Flap) Images and Information provided by Carl D Alexander
nd - circa 1900-1914	Boys Banner Series on DJ Spine A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine nd M. A. Donohue and Company 711 South Dearborn Street Chicago Dustjacket shown Grey Cloth cover Boys Banner Series mentioned on DJ spine and rear ad. Boys Banner Series: "A desirable assortment of books for boys, by standard andfavorite authors. Each title is comp0lete and unabridged. Printed on a good quality of paper from large, clear type and bound in cloth. Each book is wrapped in a special multi-colored jacket." All ads use address 711 South Dearborn Street The Ads on the Dustjacket are NOT for the series that this book is in: Famous Books in Redbound edition (DJ Rear Flap) Boys Banner Series (DJ Rear cover) with Trip Around World mentioned The Victory Boy Scouts by Captain Alan Douglas, Scoutmaster (DJ Front Flap) Images and Information provided by Carl D Alexander
Ed: These cloth covers, could be under ANY of the above or below Donohue Dustjackets!!!	*A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine* nd Dohohue Chicago Cover cloth - Symbol: Brown, Red, Green, Gray Cover cloth - Airplane: Green, Gray
circa 1915 Dustjacket below	*A Trip Around the World in a Flying Machine* nd (circa 1915) M A Donohue, Chicago Dustjacket shown Ed: The images on the DJs are "Boy Scouts" in many instances, but though these look like Scouts, it is obviously "Trenches" in WWI. That will help date this DJ.
circa 1915 Dustjacket below	*A Trip Around the World In A Flying Machine* nd (circa 1915) M A Donohue, Chicago Dustjacket shown
nd (inscribed 1928) Dustjacket and Cloth cover below	A Trip Around the World In A Flying Machine nd (inscribed 1928) M A Donohue, Chicago Multiple seen, one inscribed 1928 Dustjacket shown Images courtesy of John Hubbard-Grace Also seen with Airplane on the cloth cover like the Wright brothers flyer! Green or Red ink on Grey cloth cover
nd - inscr Dec 1915	The Clipper of the Clouds nd - Inscribed Dec 1915 SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO. LD. LONDON (all rights reserved) Sampson Low Celestial New and Cheaper Edition Illustrated Title in Gilt Cover Celestial in Colour (Like Red or Grey) Spine in Gilt Spine Title Gilt
	The Clipper of the Clouds nd SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO. LD. LONDON (all rights reserved) Sampson Low Celestial New and Cheaper Edition Illustrated Title in Black Cover Celestial in Colour (Like Red or Gray) Spine in Matching colour Spine Title Black
	The Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low London Monkey - Jungle Cover
	The Clipper of the Clouds nd (inscr 1916) Sampson Low London Onion Dome / Taj Mahal Cover *** Gilt Text on Spine - which makes it the earliest variant of this cover (Also "Sampson Low, Marston & Co." Bottom of Spine) Collection Andrew Nash (1st cover image)
nd (inscr 1917)	The Clipper of the Clouds nd (inscr 1917) Sampson Low London Onion Dome / Taj Mahal Cover Image courtesy of Beach Hut Books
nd (circa 1920)	*Clipper of the Clouds* nd (inscribed 1920) Sampson Low London Onion Dome / Taj Mahal Cover shown without and with Dustjacket Ed: This version of the Colour Taj cover seems unique, in that the image seems printed right onto the "caredboard" covers. They do not seem to have cloth! Here is a zoom:
	*Clipper of the Clouds* nd Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. London Onion Dome / Taj Mahal Cover NOTE: This books Title page has a 1794 (MDCCXCIV) logo, but the book does NOT have 1794 Endpapers! Collection Andrew Nash
	Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low London Imp Dustjacket ED: It is unknown what cover is under the dustjacket! Text on the Dustjacket: "The story of the most wonderful aeroplane that ever navigated the air."
	The Clipper of the Clouds nd Sampson Low London Imp Dustjacket Big Ship Cover NOTE: This books Title page does NOT have a 1794 (MDCCXCIV) logo! Collection Andrew Nash (No DJ - my image showing clipped corner!))
nd_inscr1934	The Clipper of the Clouds nd-ionscr1934 Sampson Low London 176pgs 32 pgs adverts
1951	Robur the Conqueror 1951 Didier Publishers, New York shown in Dustjacket
1962	*The Clipper of the Clouds* 1962 ARCO Publications London 191 Pages Fitzroy Edition Dustjacket
	The Clipper of the Clouds (1962) Associated Booksellers Westport, Conn 191 Pages 0 illustrations Opposite the Title page is a list of 26 titles in The Fitzroy Edition (with Clipper & Master of the World being the last!) First published by Associated Booksellers, 1962 Copyright Arco Publications, 1962 Back of dustjacket an ad for The Fitzroy Edition Associated Booksellers Westport, Conn. Fitzroy Edition Dustjacket clipped (3.95 in pencil) Collection Andrew Nash
	Clipper of the Clouds Claremont Classics
	The Clipper of the Clouds (1979) Granada London ISBN: 0-246-11138-0 Fitzroy Edition Dustjacket
	*The Clipper of the Clouds* (2000) Amereon House ISBN: 0-848-82056-8 191 Pages Fitzroy Edition
2017	Robur the Conqueror 2017 Wesleyan University Press Middletown, Conn. Early Classics of Science Fiction series First modern and complete English translation Contents of this volume: 324 pages 43 illustrations Introduction (by Alex Kirstukas) Robur the Conqueror (translated by Alex Kirstukas) Appendix 1: The Original Ending Appendix2: Who's Who in the Air Notes Bibliography Jules Gabriel Verne: A Biography About the Contributors The Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction Series ISBN-10: 081957726X ISBN-13: 978-0819577269 (Hardcover Buy from Amazon)