Victor Hugo - L'Homme qui rit [Edition originale] - 1869

Original edition of Victor Hugo's masterpiece published in 1869, complete in two volumes. A fine example bound in a period (rare) half-cherry red morocco, spine decorated with gilt lines forming panels, decorated with small tools, with the title and volume number in gilt lettering.

In very good condition. Solid and decorative bindings, showing minor rubbing at the headbands and marks on the covers. Slightly worn edges and pierced corners. Interior in excellent condition, free of foxing or very rare instances.

Rare in antique binding and in this condition.

The Man Who Laughs is a philosophical and dramatic novel by Victor Hugo, published in April 1869, set in England at the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th centuries. It is notably famous for the mutilated figure with a permanent laugh of its hero, which has greatly inspired the literary and cinematic worlds.

Victor Hugo began writing his work on July 21, 1866, in Brussels, and finished two years later, on August 23, 1868, still in Brussels. However, he wrote most of it in exile on Guernsey. From the summer of 1866, he supplemented his writing with a series of wash sketches, which he did not publish. The first version of the work was published without illustrations. It was Daniel Vierge who illustrated the 1876 edition.
The work is presented in the form of four volumes, each sold for 7.50 francs of the time, but a contract made with the publisher Albert Lacroix and a certain Panis alters the distribution. Instead of distributing the four volumes simultaneously—which was Victor Hugo's wish—he staggers the distribution over three days, on April 10, 1869, April 28, 1869, and May 5, 1869. The book is then offered to any reader willing to purchase 100 francs worth of books from a catalog.

Victor Hugo
The Man Who Laughs
Paris, International Bookstore, A. Lacroix, Verboeckhoven & Cie, 1869
2 volumes (Volumes I-II + Volumes III-IV) in-8 (22 x 15.5 cm); 381 pages + 301 pages + 296 pages + 384 pages.