Jules VERNE and his trip to the Mediterranean in 1884.

Jules Verne (1828.1905)

Autograph letter signed to his friend Robert Godefroy.

One page in-12° on bi-folio. Paris. May 2 (1884)

“I better leave as soon as possible. »

Superb letter from the writer organizing his last trip across the Mediterranean.

“My brave Robert, I came to pass someone. days in Paris, from where I am writing to you. Let me know as soon as you know the result of your election and tell me if, if elected, you could be ready to leave as early as May 10, in case time permits. It is in my interest to leave as soon as possible , and in the event that you are delayed due to a delay, perhaps it would be better to arrange to meet in Algiers . But you would lose the Strait of Gibraltar and that would be unfortunate. Keep me informed by writing to me in Nantes, where I will be back tomorrow. Yours sincerely. Jules Verne. »

Jules Verne decided, in 1884, to undertake a major cruise along the Mediterranean. The Saint-Michel III, whose home port was at Tréport, left Nantes on May 13. On board are Paul Verne (his brother), Michel Verne (his son), his nephew Maurice (son of Paul), Edgard Raoul-Duval, Louis-Jules Hetzel, and Robert Godefroy, therefore, recipient of this letter . The ship arrived in Vigo on May 18, then in Lisbon on the 23rd. The crew passed Gibraltar on May 25, and arrived in Bône in Algeria. Malta, Sicily, Syracuse, Naples, and Pompeii will follow. The trip will extend over two months and Verne will be inspired by this journey in the writing of Mathias Sandorf , published in Le Temps from June 16 to September 20, 1885.