Beschreibung:

Title: Les Trois Mousquetaires Author: Dumas, Alexandre, pere Place: Brussels Publisher: Société Belge de Libraire - Hauman et Cie. Date: 1844 Description: 5 (of 7) volumes in 2. 168; 211; 179; 196; 177 pp. 13.3x9 cm. (5¼x3½"), period half red sheep & mottled boards, spines lettered in gilt. Rare pirated edition of The Three Musketeers, printed from the original serial appearances in Le Siècle, which evidence strongly suggests pre-dates the regularly published first edition put out by Baudry in Paris in the same year. The original publication of Mousquetaires was in serial form, in the Parisian Daily Le Siècle, from March 14 to July 14, 1844. Its popularity soon eclipsed all of Dumas' previous romances. “Issue by issue of Le Siècle was hastily acquired by the piratical publishers of Brussels, and as quickly the portion of Les Trois Mousquetaires which it contained was set up by them in type; then, as sufficient to form a volume accumulated, this was given to the public. Though these copies were `interdicted for France,' being small and unobtrusive many found their way across the frontiers." (Frank Wild Reed, The Colophon New Series, Vol. III, No. 3). OCLC/WorldCat lists the seven volumes in the set individually, with Bayerische Staatsbibliothek shown holding one of each, and Universitaet Goettingen having Volumes 3, 4 and 5. In the present, partial set, Volumes 1 and 2 are bound in one volume, Volumes 3, 4 and 5 in another. Lot Amendments Condition: Some rubbing and wear to covers; darkening to 1st and last leaves of the two volumes, minor aging within, very good. Item number: 232326