Victor HUGO. Notre-Dame de Paris. Paris, Charles Gosselin, 1 - Lot 152

Victor HUGO. Notre-Dame de Paris. Paris, Charles Gosselin, 1831. 2 volumes in-8, blond half-calf, spines with 4 ornate nerves, marbled edges (period binding), later slipcase. Carteret, I-400 / Lh., 317 / Vicaire, IV-256 /// I. (4f.)-404 / II. (2f.)-536. First edition illustrated with two woodcut vignettes by Tony Johannot, engraved by Porret on the titles, and bearing the fictitious mention of the Fourth Edition. The total edition of 1,100 copies was in fact divided by the publisher into four parts, with fictitious references to second, third and fourth editions for the last three quarters. In the public mind, this practice must have suggested that the book was a runaway success. A fine copy, despite some rubbing to the hinges and headpieces and a few rare, pale freckles. A trace of wetness on one leaf and a small marginal loss on another.