Books

Paris: Charles Gosselin, 1831. First edition, first printing of Hugo's masterpiece, one of only 1,100 examples. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in half calf. The publisher Charles Gosselin published the novel on 16 March 1831 in an edition of 1,100 copies as was his usual practice. It was such a sensation that an additional three printings had to be published the same year. The first impression of 1100 copies was separated into four groups, each bearing a fictitious edition statement on the title-page, a scheme designed to make the public believe that the novel was selling rapidly. "This first edition is the rarest of all the works of Victor Hugo; it has had a resounding impact worldwide, and is one of the most difficult titles of the Romantic period to obtain" (Carteret). In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame was a revelation of what an historical novel could be” (Reid, 296). First published in 1831 as…

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.