Acquisitions

Michael North and Davy Burnaby. 'Lords Of The Air'. Sydney: D. Davis & Co., 1939. Thanks, Bart!

Frank H. Shaw. Outlaws of the Air. Glasgow: The Children's Press, 1927. Thanks again, Bart! Shaw was a former naval officer who was also a prolific writer of war stories and science fiction aimed primarily at boys. This particular outing is a throwback to Verne, in fact an aerial version of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, with an incredibly powerful 'mystery airsip' instead of a submarine (called the Avenger, perhaps an allusion to the wreck of the Vengeur which was visited by the Nautilus).

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2 thoughts on “Acquisitions

  1. Axolotl Jones

    You may be aware that Jules Verne wrote his own aerial version of "20,000 Leagues,"titled "Robur Le Conquerant/Robur the Conquerer/Clipper of the Clouds," (1886) The Nemo-esque figure is the mysterious Robur, who constructs a heavier-than-air electric-powered helicopter-like vehicle. There is a late (1904) sequel, "Maitre du Monde/Master of the World), in which Robur constructs an improved aircraft/speedboat/submarine/automobile with a view to world domination.

  2. Post author

    Thanks. I haven't read those (must do!) but my impression is that they are slightly more in the anarchist-with-superweapon-wants-to-rule-the-world vein than an adventurous journey through the sea/air (of course, 20,000 Leagues , and Outlaws of the Air, is both, but the latter wins out). Could be wrong!

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