Books

Paris: Charles Gosselin, 1831. Quatrième édition. Paris: Charles Gosselin, Libraire, 1831. First edition, first printing, fourth issue ("Quatrieme édition"), of Hugo's gothic masterpiece. It is generally accepted that the publisher indiscriminately printed different editions on the title-page of all copies to make the book seem as if it was now in four editions, however the text is all identical. Two octavo volumes (8 1/2 x 5 3/8 inches; 214 x 135 mm.). [8], 404; [4], 536 pp. With half-titles in both volumes. Wood-engraved title vignettes after Tony Johannot. Contemporary quarter marbled sheep over marbled paper boards. Spines with three black morocco spine labels. Labels stamped and lettered in gilt. All edges uncut. Corners a bit bumped. Back board of volume II with minor abrasions. Previous owner's old ink signature on top margin of title-page in each volume. Some occasional spotting and thumb-soiling, but generally internally very clean. Overall, an excellent copy. "This…

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1831. The story is set in Paris in 1482 during the reign of Louis XI and follows the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, who falls in love with the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda.