The Mysterious Island: Dropped From The Clouds; Abandoned; Secret of the Island

New York: Scribner, Armstrong, 1875; 1875; 1876. First editions of the three books that combined create "The Mysterious Island" Trilogy. Hardcover. Good. 3 vols.: viii, 9-310, [2]; viii, 1-304, [8]; viii, 299, [1] p. 19 cm. Each volume has frontispiece and 48 other plates. Green cloth with black and gold impressing. Bevelled edges. Mylar wraps, removed for photos. Corners and spine ends a bit worn worn. Bookplate and small label on front pastedowns. Ink inscription on a front endpaper in vol. III. Vol. II is missing that leaf but it was once present and inscribed as ink slightly marked the front free endpaper verso. Margin stains up to Vol. III p. 73. Occasional light marks elsewhere. Pencil inscriptions on last pages of text. A few signatures jutting out a bit.

Kingston's translation made a few changes from Verne's original French; the hero's surname is changed from Smith to Harding and many technical passages are abridged or omitted. Unfortunately, Kingston's became the standard translation. The trilogy does contain minute details about desert island survival. While some reviewers found the level of detail in the work tedious, others praised Verne's new version of "Robinson Crusoe" with modern improvements. Myers 42. Taves & Micheluk V013.

Bookplates for John Taylor Bottomley, American surgeon (1869-1925). Received his Doctor of Medicine from Harvard in 1894 and practised in Boston afterwards. Was first assistant surgeon on Massachusetts hospital ship Bay State during Spanish-American War. Assistant Visiting Surgeon Boston City Hospital 1899-1903. Supervising surgeon at Boston City Hospital Relief Station 1901-1903. Surgeon in Chief 1903-10 at Carney Hospital.