Estimate: (USD 350 - USD 500).

The book: "Robur-le-Conquérant" (Robur the Conqueror or The Clipper of the Clouds) by Jules Verne, first edition published in 1886 by J. Hetzel et Cie, is a rare French first edition of this classic adventure novel. The story, enriched with 45 drawings by Bennett, unfolds the tale of the enigmatic inventor Robur who, with his heavier-than-air flying machine, the Albatross, claims superiority over the lighter-than-air airships of the day. This novel is a significant entry in Verne's celebrated Voyages Extraordinaires series, showcasing his visionary ideas about air travel and technological innovation.

The author: Jules Verne (1828–1905), a French novelist, poet, and playwright, is often regarded as the father of science fiction. His explorations of the unknown and the futuristic in works like "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," "Journey to the Center of the Earth," and "Around the World in Eighty Days" have captivated readers for over a century, making him one of the most translated authors in the world.

The illustrator: Léon Benett (born Hippolyte Léon Benet; 1839–1916) was a French painter and illustrator. He was born in Orange, Provence. He changed his name to "Léon Benett" to differentiate his career in the French administration from his work as a draftsman. Benett is the most important illustrator of books written by Jules Verne; between 1873 and 1910 he illustrated twenty-five novels from the Voyages Extraordinaires series. He also illustrated other books by Verne.