Les Miserables 1930

5b Victor Hugo. London: Ward, Lock & Co., LTD, ca. 1930. Scarce dust wrapper.

Notes

Les Misérables is a monumental novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that explores justice, redemption, and the struggles of the poor in post-revolutionary France. The story follows Jean Valjean, a former convict seeking moral renewal, whose life becomes intertwined with characters such as the relentless inspector Javert, the tragic Fantine, and the idealistic youth of the Paris uprising. Blending personal drama with sweeping historical and social commentary, Hugo examines poverty, law, religion, and compassion, arguing for mercy over punishment. The novel’s emotional depth, memorable characters, and moral urgency have made it one of the most influential works of world literature, inspiring countless adaptations in theater, film, and music.

1930s copies of Les Misérables printed by Ward, Lock & Co. are British reprint editions aimed at a popular readership, issued in sturdy cloth bindings and accompanied by illustrated dustwrappers. Ward, Lock & Co., known for producing affordable yet attractive classics, frequently used colorful, pictorial dust jackets during this period, sometimes featuring dramatic scenes or romanticized imagery rather than strict historical accuracy. These dustwrappers were printed on relatively fragile paper, making surviving examples in good condition comparatively scarce today.

Description

Brown boards with black lettering and scarce dust jacket. Paste down to preliminary fly leaf of Bell-Baxter School inscribed as a first prize to a student named Isabella M. Arnot for mathematics and physical exercise of all subjects in 1935. Fine condition.