Alexandre Dumas - Le Mois - 1848

Rare copy of the first series of Le Mois, historical and political review, written by Alexandre Dumas and published in Paris in 1848, in its original glossy presentation with the original printed cover.

A work particularly evocative by its context: we are in 1848, at the heart of one of the great political ruptures of the 19th century French era.

The February Revolution has just caused the fall of Louis-Philippe and the July Monarchy, paving the way to the Second Republic. It is in this France undergoing transformation that Alexandre Dumas, then 45 years old and already one of the most famous writers of his time, undertakes this historical and political review.

The interest of Le Mois lies precisely in this closeness to the events: Dumas writes about his era as it is becoming History. The writer acts here as chronicler and observer of the political and social news of his time.

The first issue opens with a particularly striking formula:

“History of February! — Revolution of 1848!”

The presented copy corresponds to the First Series, covering the period indicated on the cover: “From February 1 to December 1, 1848.” Pagination ends on page 384, bearing the note “FIN DE LA PREMIÈRE SÉRIE.”

It also retains his engraved portrait of Alexandre Dumas as frontispiece.

A copy kept bound in its original format

One of the attractions of this copy lies in its preservation under its original printed cover, rather than in a later binding.

This folded presentation allows preserving the material aspect under which this 19th-century publication was distributed at the time, with its cover bearing notably:

“LE MOIS — Historical and political review by Alexandre Dumas — 1st Series — From February 1 to December 1, 1848”

State of conservation

For a work published in 1848 — nearly 180 years ago — the copy presents itself in a very handsome overall condition considering its age and its folded nature.

The cover naturally shows the marks of time: foxing, patina, small scuffs and peripheral defects visible in the photographs. The interior, however, remains particularly pleasant, with legible text and a very satisfactory overall presentation.
A few corners of leaves a little creased.

The frontispiece portrait is well preserved.

The numerous photographs are an integral part of the description and allow a precise appreciation of the specimen’s condition.

Beyond its bibliophilic interest, it is a contemporary testimony of the French Revolution of 1848, written and published by one of the greatest names in French literature at the moment when these events were overturning the country.

Alexandre Dumas — 1848 — the Revolution told almost in the moment: a work at the crossroads of literature, journalism and History.