Gavarni

1845 · 85453 — Paris: Paulin 1845. Fine. Paulin Paris 1845 18.50 x 27.50 cm 4 volumes reliés en 2 First edition superbly illustrated by Gavarni with 83 hors-texte plates as well as 600 in-text vignettes. Between pages 254-255 of the third volume our copy is complete with the folding map showing the Progressive March of Cholera Morbus in Asia and Europe from 1817 to 1832. Half-brown shagreen bindings spines slightly faded with four raised bands set with gilt dots and decorated with double gilt compartments marbled paper boards marbled endpapers and pastedowns. Some foxing as usual. Le juif errant is one of the greatest bestsellers of the 19th century published just after Les mystères de Paris. To the narrative qualities of Les mystères de Paris Le juif errant adds the intervention of the supernatural and the fantastic represented by the legendary vagabond who gives his name to the book. Preceded by cholera which inspired Eugène Sue to write anthology pages the legendary Jew returns from beyond the seas and beyond the centuries to prevent the Society of Jesus from seizing a fabulous fortune by eliminating its heirs one by one. Le juif errant being an adventure novel taking place in the four corners of the world. It triggered an anti-Jesuit movement in France. If Eugène Sue is more or less forgotten today he was not only one of the most famous novelists of the 19th century but the most read in Europe and even Dostoevsky was a regular reader of his work. Few writers of this era benefited from the editorial qualities demonstrated by Les mystères de Paris and Le juif errant abundantly and superbly illustrated. He was Dumas's main competitor and the latter thought he would even outlive him. Paulin hardcover