Les Miserables

VICTOR HUGO

Publication: Carleton, Publisher, 1862, New York

The true first American edition and the first edition in English. Five large octavo volumes (approximately 9 x 5.75 inches; 231 x 143 mm). [vi], 171, [1, blank], [4, ads]; 164, [4, ads]; 150, [2, ads]; 184 [no ads, as called-for]; 165, [1, blank], [2, ads] pages. Text in double-columns. Uniformly bound in publisher's full purple pebbled cloth, boards elaborately stamped in blind, spines stamped in gilt. Peach-coated endpapers (except for volume V, which has brown-coated endpapers). Spines lightly worn at spine ends, spine of volume V sunned, most of the gilt on the spines is quite faded. Some general edgewear or mild soiling to volumes. Some volumes with previous owner's signatures or bookseller's tickets. A few volumes have some pages roughly opened. Still, a fine set in the rare original publisher's binding. [Together with:] Madame Hugo. Victor Hugo by a Witness of His Life. New York: Carleton, Publisher, 1863. First American edition. Large octavo (approximately 9 x 5.75 inches; 231 x 143 mm). 175, [1, blank] pages. Bound uniformly with Les Misérables in full purple pebbled cloth, boards elaborately stamped in blind, spines stamped in gilt. Brown-coated endpapers. Spine sunned, gilt faded, some rubbing to binding. Previous owner's signatures and small address plate, else a near fine copy. A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone title, this monumental novel can be considered one of the earliest detective novels when one considers the relentless nature of Javert's pursuit of Jean Valjean. Of course, it is most famous (justifiably so) for its deep and piercing exploration of human nature, and the nature of evil and redemption. All volumes housed in a matching cloth slipcase with titles stamped on the spine.

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