Hayward, W. Stephens. THE CLOUD KING; or, Up in the Air and Down in the Sea. Rare Early Victorian Science Fiction & Lost World Novel. Charles H. Clarke Edition
Language: English
Published by Charles H. Clarke, 13 Paternoster Row, London, London, 1896
- Used
Seller: Atlas Rare Books, United Kingdom, United KingdomAtlas Rare Books
AbeBooks seller since March 26, 2026
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 995.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
William Stephens Hayward. The Cloud King; or, Up in the Air, and Down in the Sea. Being a History of the Wonderful Adventures of Victor Volans. London: Charles H. Clarke, 13 Paternoster Row, [c.1896]. 8vo, 356 pp., illustrated with frontispiece and plates, original gilt pictorial cloth, all edges gilt. A scarce late-Victorian edition of Hayward's remarkable early scientific romance and lost-world adventure. The Cloud King first appeared serially in The Boys' Journal in 1863 and was first published in book form in 1865. This Charles H. Clarke edition is undated, but is generally assigned to the later nineteenth century. The present copy concludes on p.356 and retains its striking original publisher's binding, elaborately decorated in gilt with the balloon The Lark floating above a whale. The Story; Victor Volans is a young adventurer and aeronaut whose experiments in balloon flight propel him into an extraordinary succession of journeys through the air, across the sea and eventually into the unknown interior of Africa. There he encounters an isolated lost world, while Hayward introduces speculative ideas involving unusual gravitational conditions, extraordinary longevity and subterranean regions. Ballooning, exploration, fantastic geography and speculative science combine in a story written when powered flight itself remained decades in the future. Why It Matters; First published in book form in 1865, The Cloud King belongs to the formative period of what would become modern science fiction. Hayward was already employing themes that later became staples of the genre: technological flight, exploration beyond the known world, an undiscovered civilisation, speculative natural phenomena and the Lost World. It is particularly notable as an early example of the Lost World/Lost Race tradition, appearing decades before the genre achieved widespread popularity in the late Victorian period. Its mixture of aeronautical speculation and fantastic exploration makes it an intriguing precursor to the scientific romances that followed. Early editions and issues of The Cloud King are notably scarce in commerce, while the survival of this copy in its wonderfully evocative original pictorial cloth gives it particular appeal to collectors of early science fiction, Victorian adventure, ballooning and fantastic literature. Condition; Original dark pictorial cloth elaborately blocked in gilt, depicting The Lark above a whale; all edges gilt. Frontispiece and plates. Faint ink ownership inscription to endpaper. Damp-staining to frontispiece recto. Lower hinge weak; contents shaken, with several gatherings standing slightly proud. Cloth rubbed and soiled, spine dulled, with bumping and fraying to spine ends and corners. Despite these faults, an appealing and substantially complete copy of a genuinely scarce Victorian scientific romance, retaining its distinctive original pictorial binding.…
Seller Inventory # ABE-1788188281877
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Hayward, W. Stephens. THE CLOUD KING; or, Up in the Air and Down in the Sea. Rare Early Victorian Science Fiction & Lost World Novel. Charles H. Clarke Edition
- Author
- Hayward, William Stephens (1835–1870)
- Publisher
- Charles H. Clarke, 13 Paternoster Row, London, London
- Publication year
- 1896
- Condition
- Very good
- Language
- English
Atlas Rare Books
United Kingdom, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since March 26, 2026
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 14 to 45 business days | 5 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 35.00 | £ 60.00 |
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Atlas Rare Books offers a curated selection of antiquarian and collectible books, with a particular focus on 18th and 19th century literature, illustrated works, and historically significant editions. The current catalogue comprises items sourced over a number of years from established UK and US antiquarian booksellers, including auction houses and specialist dealers. Each book has been carefully selected for its condition, provenance, and long-term collectability. All items are described accurately and conservatively, with attention given to binding, completeness, and any condition issues. High-resolution images are provided where possible to support transparency. Orders are securely packaged and shipped via tracked courier. International shipping is available, with prompt dispatch and professional handling throughout. Atlas Rare Books is committed to building a trusted, long-term presence in the rare book trade, offering carefully sourced material with clear descriptions and reliable service.…
Specialty
Antiquarian and collectible books, primarily 18th and 19th century literature, including first editions, illustrated works, and historically significant editions. Also occasional early 20th century literary and related materSeller's business information
Atlas Rare Books
United Kingdom
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