6 volume set of Les Misérables in French, Printed Circa. 1880
$ 119.99
Description
Attractive late-nineteenth-century French edition of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, issued by the noted Paris publisher Jules Rouff et Cie in the decades immediately following the author’s death. This complete six-volume set is bound in period half leather with cloth boards, gilt-lettered spines, and decorative corner pieces. One volume lacks its spine title label; all others retain their original gilt labels. The text blocks are tight and secure, with clean, fully legible pages showing only the gentle toning expected of paper of this era. There are no illustrations, as issued in this popular reading edition, and no significant foxing, stains, or marginal damage. All volumes bear the uniform imprint “Jules Rouff et Cie, Cloître Saint-Honoré, Paris.” The familiar facsimile of Hugo’s signature appears on the title pages, a customary feature of Rouff printings. A handsome and well-preserved example of the edition that introduced Les Misérables to generations of French readers at the end of the nineteenth century, ideal for both reading and display. Condition: Very Good. Bindings secure; interiors clean and complete; one spine label absent; light edge wear consistent with age. About This Edition Jules Rouff was among the most influential popular publishers of the French Third Republic, specializing in affordable multi-volume editions of national classics. During the 1880s and 1890s, after Victor Hugo’s death in 1885, demand for his works reached extraordinary levels. Rouff’s editions of Les Misérables were produced for the expanding educated middle class and became fixtures of home libraries throughout France. Unlike deluxe illustrated versions issued by other houses, this printing represents the pure text edition, intended for readers rather than collectors of plates. The sturdy rebinding seen here, likely executed around the turn of the twentieth century, reflects the value placed on the work by an early owner who sought to preserve it for regular use. Victor Hugo (1802–1885) Poet, novelist, dramatist, and statesman, Victor Hugo stands at the center of French Romantic literature. Exiled for nearly two decades because of his opposition to Napoleon III, Hugo became both a moral conscience and a literary titan of Europe. His novels, Notre-Dame de Paris and above all Les Misérables, combined sweeping narrative with fierce social critique, championing the poor, the outcast, and the oppressed. Published in 1862, Les Misérables rapidly became one of the most influential novels ever written, shaping modern ideas about justice, mercy, and the dignity of the human spirit. By the time of Hugo’s death, the book had achieved near-mythic status, and editions such as this one carried his legacy into the everyday lives of readers across France and beyond. Format: Six volumes, octavo Publisher: Jules Rouff et Cie, Paris Date: circa 1885–1895 Binding: Period half leather over cloth boards, gilt spine titles Completeness: Complete in six volumes A distinguished nineteenth-century set of the novel that helped define modern literature, beautifully preserved and ready for another lifetime of reading and admiration.
Item arrived much better than described and is such a privilege to own, ty as this probably cost you more to send than I paid (honestly, I expected the item to be of much, much poorer quality for the prise!), well packaged and shipped fast. would encourage anyone to buy from this person! A +++
Couldn't be happier! Very fast shipping from the UK. Packaged well and all arrived in great shape. Exactly as described at a very fair price. I will put them in Pride of Place in my library. Thanks much! 5*
Beautiful! A piece of history in great condition for being 250 years old. Fast shipping with tracking was very helpful. Very pleased with kind and fast service.
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