ALS in French, one page, 4 x 5.25, May 10, 1890. Handwritten letter to Nellie Joseph at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, in part (translated): "When one writes the French language as you do, you give the impression that you are of French origin. But if you are English, or rather American, as I believe you are, you should not have any difficulty at all in translating a French book into English, even vocally (from the page). I believe, therefore, that your letter has no other purpose than to receive a few lines from the father of Phileas Fogg which I hasten to send to you." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Verne's own hand.
A wonderful letter in which Verne identifies himself as the "father of Phileas Fogg"—the protagonist of his classic 1872 novel Around the World in Eighty Days. In the story, Fogg and his newly employed French valet Jean Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a wager of £20,000—half of Fogg's fortune—set by his friends at the Reform Club. The two succeed in their effort in the nick of time, claiming their prize with minutes to spare. Around the World in Eighty Days is recognized as one of Verne's greatest works, spawning dozens of real-life imitations, adaptations, and homages across all forms of media.
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