Dusacq

First edition of this remarkable album devoted to the Island of Elba, published in Paris by Dusacq & Cie in 1862 and printed by Lemercier. Large folio, loose sheets: 4 pp. of text comprising the Notice historique et archéologique sur l'Ile d'Elbe, 1 lithographed dedication leaf and 18 lithographed plates, including the title-frontispiece. The views were drawn from nature by André Durand and lithographed with the collaboration of Eugène Cicéri. The Bibliothèque nationale de France likewise records the work as comprising 18 numbered plates, including the frontispiece.

The rare first edition.
Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands showing rubbing at head and foot, marbled paper boards, front board scratched at lower right margin, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, leading edges rubbed.
Copy slightly warped, some foxing.
Autograph inscription dated and signed by Henri Durville to piano composer Antonin d'Argenton at the head of the half-title page.

HUGO Victor
John Brown E. Dentu & Dusacq, Paris 1861, 155 x 235 mm
(6 1/8 x 9 1/4 ”), original wrappers
The very rare first edition.
This copy retains its original photograph of Victor Hugo’s famous drawing of the hanging of John Brown and the facsimile of his manuscript text authorizing the reproduction of this drawing.
A militant for, and martyr of, the abolitionist cause who incited people to armed insurrection, John Brown was arrested in 1859 and hanged on 2 December in Charlestown, Virginia. His execution was one of the causes of the American Civil War.
From exile in Guernsey, Hugo tried to obtain a pardon, but...

First edition.
Half pine green shagreen bindings, smooth spines decorated with triple gilt fillets, marbled paper boards damaged and worn, corners and edges bumped.
Two light dampstains affecting the head of the entire text block in each volume.

First edition.
Marginal dampstains affecting the leaves, one joint reattached, slight marginal lacks to boards.
Rare.