Hugo, Victor

10 volumes, 8vo (222 x 144mm.), FIRST EDITION, half-titles, divisional titles, PUBLISHER'S ORIGINAL PEBBLE-GRAIN RED CLOTH (in the earlier, larger format) with blind-stamped borders and corner-pieces, central gilt floral arabesque devices on upper and lower covers, some light spotting to some leaves and edges, minor wear to extremities (particularly spines), STILL A NEAR FINE SET

Carteret I p.421; Vicaire I:328; Talvert & Place IX:59a, cf. IX:59b

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A LOVELY COPY OF WHAT IS NOW ESTABLISHED AS THE TRUE FIRST EDITION OF HUGO'S CLASSIC NOVEL, published in Brussels on 30th or 31st March 1862.

The question of priority had been intensely debated in bibliographic circles. The findings of Michaux and Lacretelle definitively established primacy of this edition over the one distributed four or five days later in Paris by Pagnerre. The initial confusion stemmed from two sources: first was the prominent appearance of Pagnerre's name--and none other--in the French edition as a "Libraire-editeur," when in fact he was a distributing agent only; second was general acceptance of Vicaire's claim that Hugo corrected only from the proofs for the French edition. Michaux postulated that Hugo used the Belgian editions of his works as models for the Parisian printings. To ensure publication in France, Hugo was forced to amputate certain phrases from Les Misérables that would have offended the French censor. Lacretelle later confirmed Michaux's hypothesis. He found, in a copy of the Belgian edition of Hugo's novel, Les Travailleurs de la mer (1866), an autograph note that positively assigns priority to Brussels: "Since Messieurs Lacroix and Verboeckhoven have been my publishers, it is always the Belgian editio princeps ("l'edition belge princeps") that must serve as a model for future editions. V H." It was with Les Miserables that Hugo began his relationship with the Belgian publishing house.