When was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea first published?

August 31, 2007 10:07 AM

When was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea first published? Using search engines, I get answers that say 1868, 1869, 1870, 1873, and 1873.

Which answer is correct, and why?
How can I be sure?
Why are there so many different answers floating around out there?

posted by 23skidoo to media & arts (7 comments total)

I get answers that say 1868, 1869, 1870, 1873, and 1873.

Make that last one 1874.
posted by 23skidoo at 10:07 AM on August 31, 2007

1870. ish.
posted by disillusioned at 10:15 AM on August 31, 2007

According to this Google scan, Vingt mille lieues sous les mers was published around 1869-70, and the other publication dates may have been an abridgement "to make it available for the classroom." (It's written about in the introduction a few pages down)
posted by icontemplate at 10:23 AM on August 31, 2007

Firstly, are you asking about 20,000 Leagues under the Sea or Vingt mille lieues sous les mers?
posted by vacapinta at 10:25 AM on August 31, 2007

Firstly, are you asking about 20,000 Leagues under the Sea or Vingt mille lieues sous les mers?

If you have information about both, that'd be great and may clear up confusion.
posted by 23skidoo at 11:32 AM on August 31, 2007

I only ask because it was first published in 1870 in French as Vingt mille lieues sous les mers. The first English translation didn't appear until 1873. So its not wrong to say "20,000 leagues under the sea was first published in 1873" either.
posted by vacapinta at 11:38 AM on August 31, 2007

It was published in two volumes.

- Première partie : "Vingt mille lieues sous les mers. Tour du monde sous-marin", 28 octobre 1869.
- Seconde partie : "Vingt mille lieues sous les mers. Tour du monde sous-marin", 13 juin 1870.

If you believe a site made by and for Verne addicts.

The Bibliotheque Nationale has a second edition of teh first volume from 1870, so the information might be correct.

And what Vacapinta said.
posted by lucia__is__dada at 11:54 AM on August 31, 2007