Verne Jules. In the Country of Diamonds (Southern Star) (V strane almazov / Yuzhnaya zvezda), 1929. In Russian

Жюль Верн
В стране алмазов (Южная звезда).
Серия: Библиотека для детей и юношества.
Переработано для детей, редактор Е. Надеждина.
Одесса: Одесполиграф, 1929.
300 стр.; твердый переплет.
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Verne Jules
In the Country of Diamonds (Southern Star) (V strane almazov / Yuzhnaya zvezda).
Series: Children's and Youth Library.
Revised for children, editor E. Nadezhdina.
Odessa: Odespoligraf, 1929.
300 pp.; hardcover.

Jules Verne (1828–1905), the father of science fiction and adventure literature, wrote “The Southern Star” (L’Étoile du Sud, 1884) as a thrilling tale of diamond mining, greed, and discovery in South Africa. The story follows young engineer Cyprien Méré and his quest for a legendary giant diamond, blending Verne’s signature scientific detail, exotic locales, and moral conflicts between ambition and humanity.
This 1929 Odessa edition is a carefully adapted version for young readers, edited by E. Nadezhdina, with simplified language, shortened plot, and emphasis on adventure, exploration, and ethical themes suitable for children and youth. Published by Odespoligraf in the “Library for Children and Youth” series (launched in 1928), the book exemplifies early Soviet efforts to introduce foreign classics to young audiences in high-quality translations and attractive design. The luxurious binding and layout strongly recall pre-revolutionary Wolff editions, reflecting the transitional aesthetic of late 1920s Ukrainian publishing.
A rare survival of 1920s Soviet children's literature from Odessa, this volume represents the NEP-era enthusiasm for Verne’s works as educational entertainment, promoting curiosity about geography, science, and distant lands. Highly collectible for Verne enthusiasts, early Soviet juvenile editions, Odespoligraf imprints, adapted classics for youth, and 1920s Ukrainian book design.