Rare signed book: De la Terre a la Lune [From the Earth to the Moon] by Jules Verne, with 41 illustrations by Henri de Montaut. Early French edition. Paris: J. Hetzel et Cie, Bibliotheque D'education et de Recreation, circa 1872. Leatherbound hardcover with fully gilt textblock edges, 7.5 x 11, 180 pages. Signed on the title page and the adjacent page in pencil by 10 Apollo astronauts: "Buzz Aldrin, Apollo XI," "Alan Bean, Apollo 12 LMP," "Gene Cernan, Apollo X-LMP, Apollo XVII-CDR," "Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 LMP," "Dave Scott, Apollo 9 CMP, Apollo 15 CDR," "Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7," "Jim McDivitt, Apollo 9 CDR," "Frank Borman, Apollo 8 CDR," "James Lovell, Apollo 8, 13 CDR," and "Fred Haise, Apollo 13 LMP." In very good condition, with foxing, toning and edge chipping; an ownership signature to top of title page, and the "Jules Verne" above Bean's signature penned in an unknown hand. Accompanied by a clamshell case and by a full letter of authenticity from Zarelli Space Authentication. A wonderful offering signed by several storied Apollo astronauts who helped turn the science fiction of Jules Verne into modern-day reality.
