Jules Verne: Book: Topsy Turvy - Sans dessus dessous

Page last modified: September 14, 2023

Sans dessus dessous - 1889

Topsy Turvy - 1890

36 illustrations by Georges Roux

[Voyages Extraordinaires #34 - 1 Volume - Les Espaces Celestes]

Image used with permission from
Project Jules Verne Illustrations by Bernhard Krauth, www.jules-verne-club.de

.Bibliographic Reference	French (J-M Margot)	Jules Verne Encyclopedia	Myers Bibliography	Galagher Bibliography
	SD	V035	M53	A68

Alternate English Titles:

Topsy Turvy

Purchase of the North Pole

Plot Synopsis:
(courtesy of D. Kytasaari - http://epguides.com/djk/JulesVerne/works.shtml)

The North Polar Practical Association has plans on making a purchase of all the territory north of the 84th parallel. This association is in reality the members of the Baltimore Gun Club, including Secretary J.T. Maston, President Impy Barbicane and Captain Nicholl. Through the generosity of Mrs. Angelina Scorbitt the association is successful in its bid for this region of the globe. Only the world wonders why they have bid for this uninhabitable region. With the property secure, the association makes their plans known, they intend on altering the axis of the earth, so that this Artic region will obtain a temperate climate, allow them access to the large coal deposits they expect to find there. And how will they accomplish this? The same way these men made it to the moon, with a large gun. With the Gun Club's infallible J.T. Maston making the calculations, the association surely can't lose in the proposition.

Book Collecting Information:

This listing contains ALL Jules Verne Encyclopedia bibliographic entries for this book.

1889

First UK Serial Edition

First
Appearance
in English

Start of story in the Boy's Own Annual:

Jules Verne Encyclopedia:
" This work appeared in the Boy's Own as Barbicane and Company in issues found in annual volume 12, which covered the period from October 1889 through September 1890."

Barbicane & Co.
or, The Purchase of the North Pole
1889 (October) to 1890 (September)
Volume 12
Boy's Own Paper / The Boy's Own Annual
London

Collection Andrew Nash

First US Serial Edition
1890

***Not mentioned in Jules Verne Encyclopedia

Topsy-Turvy was probably published in serial form in many US Newspapers, but here are the details for 1 of them:

Topsy Turvy
1890 (Sat. Mar 22 to Sat. June 21, 1890)
The Salem Daily News
Salem, Ohio

Starting on Page 6, of the Saturday March 22 issue of the paper.

and subsequent chapters, every Saturday therafter, until Saturday, June 21, 1890

Illustrated by Nicholl

and the final chapter, 21, has an ending illustration. (see at left)

It also is serialized in:

Chetopa Advance, Chetopa, Kansas
Fri. Mar 21 to Fri Jul 25, 1890

First English Editon:

Jules Verne Encyclopedia:
" In December 1890, Sampson Low published the first British edition of The Purchase of the North Pole, in crown 8vo., priced at 6s. Pictured on the front cover is the fanciful scene of an arctic explorer confgronting a polar bear sitting on its hind legs. "

This translation opens:
" 'And so, Mr Marston, you consider that a woman can do nothing for the advance of the mathematical or experimental sciences?' "

The Purchase of the North Pole
1891 (December 1890)
Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
London

143 Pages,
31 Illustrations
32 page Catalogue (seen dated October 1890)
Gilt Edges

Frontispiece tissue

One seen inscribed Feb 1890 !!!

Last Book images Gary Munson Collection

First US Edition:

Jules Verne Encyclopedia:
" In 1890, J. S. Ogilvie published Topsy Turvy in a plain cloth edition with 10 illustrations, which are not taken directly from the originals, but are rather crudely rendered. Unfortunately, the poor quality of the paper used in printing has resulted in undue deterioration with age. Although the title page indicates that the book was copyrighted by Ogilvie in 1890, there is no record of registration with the Library of Congress. This edition, as with the Original French, has 21 chapters and is a different translation from the one published by Sampson Low, which has 20 chapters. "

This translation opens:
" 'Then, Mr. Marston, you pretend that a woman has Never been able to make mathematical or experimental-science progress?' "

Topsy-Turvy
[1890]
J. S. Ogilvie and Company
New York

222 Pages

Collection Andrew Nash

Ed: October 2021
Below are shown, 2 known copies of Topsy Turvy in wraps, published by J.S.Ogilvie, in January 1890. This is as equal a 1st US Edition, as the known hard cover above!

First US Edition: Copy 1
"in Wraps"

***This entry not in Jules Verne Encyclopedia

Copy 1 of an Ogilvie Topsy Turvy "in wraps"

Topsy-Turvy
1890
copyright January 1890 by J S Ogilvie on title page
J. S. Ogilvie, Publisher
57 Rose Street.
New York

No. 103 in "The Fireside Series" as indicated in the copyright paragraph on the cover, and
No. 103 on the spine

Here is how this copy is laid out:

1 ad on the back of the paper cover page
next page blank (Ed: pg 1), and on the reverse is the Frontispiece (Ed: pg 2) that is a near duplicate of the cover. The area where the copyright information and "Jules Verne's Latest Book" is printed on the cover, is replaced by "Ten Illustrations"
Title page (Ed: pg 3), and on the reverse, a 1 page catalogue (Ed: pg 4) for the "Fireside" series, up to number 52
First page of Story (Ed: pg 5), with 2nd page of story on reverse (Ed: pg 6)
3rd page of story, which is numbered page "7" on the top right corner
8 page catalogue in rear
that says "Seaside Library" !?
222 pages with 8 illustrations.
Note: the cover calls for 10 illustrations,
but since each illustration is on the reverse of a printed page, none seem to be missing!

size 7 1/4 x 5 inches

Collection Andrew Nash

First US Edition: Copy 2
"in Wraps"

1st Page after Cover

Spine, with No. 129

Back, is page 8 of catalogue

***This entry not in Jules Verne Encyclopedia

Copy 2 of an Ogilvy Topsy Turvy "in wraps"

Topsy-Turvy
1890
copyright January 1890 by J S Ogilvie on title page
J. S. Ogilvie, Publisher
57 Rose Street.
New York

No. 129 on the spine

3 pages of ads in front of title page
1 page blank.
8 page catalogue in rear
that says "Seaside Library" !?
222 pages with 8 illustrations.
Note: the cover calls for 10 illustrations,
but since each illustration is on the reverse of a printed page, none seem to be missing!

size 7 1/4 x 5 inches

Other Editions:
1891, Feb 15	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " On February 15, 1891, P. F. Collier published The Purchase of the North Pole in the Once a Week Library. This small papercover book is taken from the translation in the edition of Sampson Low." The Purchase of the North Pole 1891, Feb 15 F. Collier, Once a Week Library New York Once a Week Library, Vol 11, No 14, in Wraps
	Sellers Wrappers? ?Not listed in the Jules Verne Encyclopedia? The Purchase of the North Pole 1891 P. F. Collier, (?Once a Week Library?) New York Once a Week Library, Vol 11, No 14 Apparently, the above is inside the outside wrappers The Readers Circulating Library Chenango Forks, New York No. 36 H. S. Ely, Proprietors Subscription Agent and News Dealer Chenango Forks, N. Y.
1891	*Purchase of the North Pole* 1891 Sampson Low, Marston and Co London 30 illustrations 143 Pages
{1892}	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In November 1892, Sampson Low published a New Edition of The Purchase of the North Pole, in post 8vo., priced at 2s6d. "
1892	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In 1892, Seaside Publishing issued a papercover edition of Topsy Turvy in the Rugby Library, No. 7, priced at 10 cents. "
1894	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In Octobeer 1893, Sampson Low published a New Edition of The Purchase of the North Pole, in post 8vo., priced at 2s6d. " *Purchase of the North Pole* 1894 Sampson Low Marston and Co London 143 pages 32 page catalogue. Illustrated with 30 B&W full page plates, including frontis
nd (circa 1890s)	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In the 1890s, American Publishers Corporation (International Book Company) published Topsy Turvy as No. 89 in the St. Nicholas series of Cloth bound books, priced at 50 cents. " Topsy-Turvy {1890} International Book Company (spine: American Publishers Corporation) New York St Nicholas Series 222 Pages, Illustrated
nd (circa 1890s)	Same enclyclopedia entry as above: Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In the 1890s, American Publishers Corporation (International Book Company) published Topsy Turvy as No. 89 in the St. Nicholas series of Cloth bound books, priced at 50 cents. " Topsy-Turvy nd (circa 1890s) International Book Comapany (spine: International Book Company) New York St Nicholas Series for Boys and Girls
inscribed Christmas 1898	*Purchase of the North Pole* nd - inscribed Christmas 1898 Sampson Low Marston and Co London Illustrated Ed Note: It does NOT have a date on the title page.
Beveled boards (image below) Gilt edge (image below)	*Purchase of the North Pole* nd - inscribed 1912 Sampson Low, Marston & Company London This must be a more expensive version. This has bevelled boards AND gilt edges. It could very well be one of the above listed Sampson Low books OR one of the below (1905/1906) listed books. The inscribed date is a little hard to read, but seems to be 1912.
1905	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " For Christmas 1905, Sampson Low published The Purchase of the North Pole as a reissue of works by the late Jules Verne. These books are fully illustrated uniform copyright editions, priced at 2s6d. "
1906	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " For Christmas 1906, Sampson Low published this title in the fully illustrated uniform copyright edition, priced at 2s6d. * Sampson Low continued to publish this work well beyond the turn of the century in a variety of new and cheaper editions.* "
nd - circa 1914 to 1916	Gilt Title on the Spine The Purchase of the North Pole nd Sampson Low, Marston and Company London Authorized Copyright Edition
nd - circa 1916 to 1923	Is this book one of the above? (2s6d) Black Title on the Spine The Purchase of the North Pole nd Sampson Low, Marston and Company London Authorized Copyright Edition 143 pages 1 imprint. Frontispiece Base Cloth Light Green Base Cloth Light Blue Monkey / Jungle Cover DUSTJACKET: uniform 'Books for Boys' series 2s6d Crown octavo
1911	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In 1911, Vincent Parke and Company published the fifteen-volume set, Works of Jules Verne, edited and introduced by Charles F. Horne. Volume thirteen contains the translation of both parts of The Purchase of the North Pole from the edition of this work published by Sampson Low. " The Purchase of the North Pole 1911 Vincent Parke and Company New York / London See a full description of the Vincent Parke: Works of Jules Verne The Preface to this volume in reference to Purchase of the North Pole, says: Ed Note: SPOILER "... As to The Purchase of the North Pole (1889), or as Verne himself first called it literally "Sense Upside Down," it is a sequel to "A Trip to the Moon," written a quarter century before. In its mathematical sincerity and extravagance of analysis it is worthy of the earlier tale. With his mountains of figures the author deliberately plays a joke upon the trusting reader, by pointing out in the end that the figures are all wrong. In its astonomical suggestiveness and impressive form of conveying instruction, this story is again equal to its predecessor."
1910	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In 1910, for Christmas, Sampson Low published The Purchase of the North Pole in the crown 8vo., cloth gilt edition in the New Illustrated 1s6d Series for Boys, with colored and other illustrations. "
1914	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In November 1914, sampson Low published a "Reissue" of The Purchase of the North Pole, crown 8vo., priced at 1s. "
	Images courtesy of Dana Eales
Sept 1926 Oct 1926	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " The December 1926 and January 1927 issues of Amazing Stories, published by \|Experimenter Publishing Company (Hugo Gernsback, president and editor), contained The Purchase of the North Pole, in two parts. " (encyclopedia has the dates wrong above!!!) Vol. 1, No. 6, Sept. 1926 *Verne Story: Purchase of the North Pole, Pt 1 of 2, Page ?* Vol. 1, No. 7, Oct. 1926 *Verne Story: Purchase of the North Pole, Pt 2 of 2, Page ?*
195x	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In the late 1950's, Ace Books published The Purchase of the North Pole from the translation that originally was published by Ogilvie in 1890, 159 pages, priced at 35 cents. " The Purchase of the North Pole {1958} Ace Books New York
1966	Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In 1966, the I. O. Evans translation of this work was published in the Fitzroy Edition, entitled The Purchase of the North Pole, 176 pages, priced at $3 in America (Associated Booksellers) and 15s in Great Britain (ARCO). " *The Purchase of the North Pole* 1966 ARCO Publications London 175 Pages Fitzroy Edition Dustjacket
	Same encyclopedia entry as above: Jules Verne Encyclopedia: " In 1966, the I. O. Evans translation of this work was published in the Fitzroy Edition, entitled The Purchase of the North Pole, 176 pages, priced at $3 in America (Associated Booksellers) and 15s in Great Britain (ARCO). " The Purchase of the North Pole nd - copyright 1966 Associated Booksellers Westport, Conn 176 Pages 0 illustrations Opposite the title page a list of 49 titles in The Fitzroy Edition First published by Associated Booksellers 1966 Copyright 1966 in England by Arco Publications Back of dustjacket an ad for The Fitzroy Edition Associated Booksellers Westport, Conn. Fitzroy Edition Dustjacket unclipped $3.00 with a $3.95 sticker on top. Collection Andrew Nash
* The below entries are not in the Jules Verne Encyclopedia. *
	The Purchase of the North Pole 1989 JVPress New York
	The Purchase of the North Pole 1989 JV Press New York, New York 100th Anniversary Edition printed on 8 1/2 by 11 paper
	Barbicane and Company The Purchase of the North Pole 2004 Fredonia Press (Print on demand) ISBN 10: 1410107957 / ISBN 13: 9781410107954
	The Earth Turned Upside Down 2012 - January Hesperus Press Limited 28 Mortimer Street London W1W 7RD Translated by: Sophie Lewis, 2012 Forward by: Ian Fells - 2012 ISBN: 978-1-84391-367-2 The book begins: " 'So Mr Maston, you claim that women were incapable of ever advancing either the mathematical or the experimental sciences?' 'I'm afraid that is what I am forced to think, Mrs Scorbitt,' said J-T- Maston." Ed Note: My copy has a sticker on the cover that reads: In lieu of galleys, we are submitting finished copies. Pub date: January 2013 Publicity Contact: Laura Di Giovine (laura@ipgbook.com) Collection Andrew Nash