Count of Monte Cristo First French Illustrated Edition
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5b 1846; Alexandre Dumas; First French Illustrated Edition, 2 Volumes
Quote
"All human wisdom is contained in these two words—‘Wait and Hope.’"
Note
Edmond Dantès is a young, honest, and capable sailor who is about to be promoted to captain and marry his beloved, Mercédès. However, his promising future is destroyed when he is falsely accused of treason by three men: Fernand Mondego, who is jealous of Dantès' relationship with Mercédès; Danglars, who envies Dantès' rapid career advancement; and Caderousse, who is simply envious. These men conspire to frame Dantès, leading to his arrest on the day of his engagement.
The first French illustrated edition of Le Comte de Monte-Cristo appeared in 1846, published in Paris by the Bureaux du Journal Le Siècle, shortly after the novel’s serialization concluded. Unlike the plain early printings intended for quick readership, this edition was designed as a deluxe visual presentation, featuring a frontispiece portrait of Dumas and 29 finely engraved plates by leading artists of the era, including Paul Gavarni and Tony Johannot. Each plate was protected by a tissue guard, reflecting the care taken in its production. Printed in multiple volumes, it offered French readers the first opportunity to experience Dumas’s swashbuckling adventure accompanied by detailed, scene-specific illustrations. Its rarity today is striking—no copies are recorded in major libraries such as the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and none have surfaced at auction in over two decades—making it both a significant milestone in the novel’s publication history and a highly prized collector’s item.
Description
First French illustrated edition of one of Alexandre Dumas' most famous works. Red leather spine with gold embossed title, volume number, and lines. Spine has some wear and tear with one small piece cut out of leather on Volume 2. Slightly faded red/orange cloth binding with some discoloration. Tearing on top and bottom corners of leather spine. Overall fair condition.