Hunchback of Notre Dame / Illustrated Edition / ca. 1888

by Victor Hugo
with five illustrations

"Notre Dame or The Bellringer of Paris" is a classic novel by Victor Hugo, often referred to as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Set in 15th-century Paris, the story revolves around the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and its inhabitants, including the deformed and kind-hearted bellringer Quasimodo. The novel delves into the themes of love, prejudice, and social inequality, as well as the importance of preserving historical and architectural heritage.

The story follows the lives of several characters, including the beautiful and kind-hearted gypsy girl Esmeralda, the ambitious and unscrupulous archdeacon Claude Frollo, and the brave but flawed Captain Phoebus. Their intertwining lives result in a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. The novel also explores the broader societal issues of its time, providing a vivid depiction of the city of Paris and its people.

Book Condition: Very Good | Dust Jacket: No Jacket

This 1888 illustrated edition from publishers George Routledge and Sons features a beautiful Victorian-era decorative dark-red cloth binding with gilt titles. The boards have wear and slight fraying to the edges. The lower board has shelf-wear and a book bump to the joint. The upper and lower spines have slight sunning and wear. The text block soiled to the head, foxing to the frontispiece and tissue paper. The text block also has age tanning to the page margins. The owner's inscriptions are in ink on the front free endpapers. The binding is secure, and the pages are otherwise unmarked.

Publisher: New York; London: George Routledge and Sons
Publication Date: ca. 1888
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Edition: Victorian Era
Pages: [2], vii, [1], 540 pp
Size: 7.75" x 5.25"
Provenance: Handwritten: Anna M. Merrill, and Warren C. Merrill, 1888