HUGO, VICTOR. Les Miserables.

HUGO, VICTOR. Les Miserables. Complete in 5 volumes (Fantine, Cosette, Marius, St. Denis, and Jean Valjean). 8vo, publisher's embossed brown cloth with gilt-stamped spines, minor wear to spine ends and edges, most noticeable on Fantine, Marius unevenly faded, spine sunned. New York: Carleton, 1862

first american edition immediately following the French Edition. Carleton hired French scholar and stenographer Charles E. Wilbour to translate the novel from the first French edition published just months before. He also spent a tremendous sum on advertising, the result of which was that Les Miserables was second only to Uncle Tom's Cabin for pre-war novel sales.