The Underground City (Les Indes noires) was published by Pierre-Jules Hetzel in 1877. James Starr, a retired mining engineer, receives a mysterious letter summoning him to the Aberfoyle coal mine near Edinburgh, which was abandoned ten years earlier when its seams appeared to be exhausted. He discovers that the old overman, Simon Ford, has found an enormous new coal deposit deep beneath the old workings. A community is established in the caverns, and an underground city grows around the mine.
The novel combined Verne’s interest in industrial technology with Scottish Gothic atmosphere: the underground city is simultaneously a triumph of engineering and a dark, enclosed space haunted by a mysterious figure who sabotages the mining operations.
Collecting The Underground City
First edition in French (Hetzel, Paris, 1877): Hetzel cartonnage binding.
Market values:
- Hetzel first edition, fine: $800–$2,000
- First English edition: $200–$600
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Coal Mine
Set in the exhausted coal mines beneath Edinburgh, The Underground City (1877) follows an engineer who discovers a new seam and builds an underground community. The novel combines Verne’s scientific interests (mining engineering, geology) with Gothic atmosphere — the underground city is haunted by a mysterious figure who sabotages the miners’ work. It is one of Verne’s most atmospheric novels, less celebrated than his adventure classics but admired by readers who appreciate his quieter, more literary side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Verne’s reputation today? Verne is recognised as a co-founder of science fiction (with H.G. Wells) and one of the most influential authors in literary history. His works have been adapted into over 100 films. He is the second most translated author in the world. Critical reassessment in the late twentieth century has elevated his literary reputation beyond the “children’s author” label that long diminished his standing.