Dumas (Alexander) The Count of Monte-Cristo, 2 vol., first English edition, 20 wood-engraved plates after M. Valentin, frontispiece to vol.1 trimmed and laid down, some light scattered spotting and patches of damp-staining, slightly heavier to plates in places, hinges splitting, original cloth, sympathetically rebacked preserving portions of original spine, light surface markings, preserved in custom-made drop-back box, 8vo, Chapman and Hall, 1846.

⁂ An attractive set of this cornerstone of French literature, rare in original cloth.

The Count of Monte-Cristo first appeared in English as an illustrated serial in the London Journal earlier this same year. No translator’s name is provided, yet almost every successive English edition has been based upon this work. There seem to be three variant cloths by Chapman and Hall with no priority discernible. This copy in the plain blind-stamped cinnamon cloth without the central gilt medallion, as in the Manney copy.