Robur the Conqueror (Robur-le-Conquérant) was published by Pierre-Jules Hetzel in 1886. At a time when lighter-than-air flight (balloons) was the only proven form of aviation, Robur — an engineer of mysterious origin — builds the Albatross, a heavier-than-air flying machine powered by thirty-seven rotary lifting screws (essentially a massive helicopter). When members of the Weldon Institute, a balloon enthusiasts’ club, mock his claims, Robur kidnaps their president and secretary and takes them on a global circumnavigation in the Albatross to demonstrate its capabilities.
The novel was Verne’s contribution to the late-nineteenth-century debate between advocates of lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air flight. Verne sided firmly with heavier-than-air technology — a prescient choice, as the airplane and the helicopter would ultimately prove far more practical than the dirigible.
Collecting Robur the Conqueror
First edition in French (Hetzel, Paris, 1886): Hetzel cartonnage binding.
Market values:
- Hetzel first edition, fine: $800–$2,000
- First English edition: $200–$600
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Flying Machine
Robur appears at a meeting of the Weldon Institute (a balloon enthusiasts’ club) to announce that the future of aviation belongs not to lighter-than-air craft but to heavier-than-air machines. To prove his point, he kidnaps two club members aboard his flying vessel, the Albatross. Published in 1886, the novel predicted the victory of the aeroplane over the airship — a debate that would not be settled for another two decades. Its sequel, Master of the World (1904), is Verne’s final word on the theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Verne collected? The primary collectible format is the original Hetzel editions in cartonnage bindings (red, green, or blue cloth with gilt illustrations). These were published in Paris and are identified by their distinctive binding designs, which vary by title and printing. First Hetzel editions of major titles (Twenty Thousand Leagues, Around the World in 80 Days) are among the most valuable items in nineteenth-century book collecting.