Les Misérables – Victor Hugo – 1865 | Brion-Illustrated, Hetzel Binding in Red Morocco

This 1865 Les Misérables Victor Hugo illustrated edition is an early large-format French printing of Hugo’s monumental novel, issued by J. Hetzel and A. Lacroix just three years after its first appearance. Containing nearly 200 engravings designed by Émile Brion and executed by Yon and Perrichon, this Paris-printed volume reflects a notable early effort to visually document the full text of Les Misérables in a cohesive illustrated form. It is bound in red morocco over marbled boards, presenting the text in a single thick quarto volume with steel-engraved plates integrated throughout.

The Brion-illustrated printing distinguishes itself from earlier issues by incorporating a large number of full-page and inset images across the text block, carefully engraved by Yon and Perrichon. Brion’s illustrations are positioned close to relevant narrative passages and reflect mid-19th century French graphic interpretation of Hugo’s characters and scenes. The typeface is consistently set in double-column format on toned laid paper. This printing consolidates the entire novel into one volume, differing in physical presentation from the serialized five-volume first edition of 1862.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Les Misérables
• Author(s): Victor Hugo
• Illustrator(s): Émile Brion
• Contributor(s): Yon (Engraver); Perrichon (Engraver)
• Publisher: Paris: J. Hetzel et A. Lacroix
• Edition: 1865 Illustrated Edition.
• Format: Quarto, single volume
• Binding: Quarter leather over marbled boards
• Size:  11.75 in x 8.25 in (29.5 cm x 21 cm)
• Collation: [4], 799, [1] pp
• Illustrations: Nearly 200 wood-engraved plates by Brion
• Contents Include:
  • Complete French text of Les Misérables
  • Engraved title vignette
  • Narrative illustrations by Brion throughout

Condition:

This 19th-century French binding features a red morocco spine with gilt-ruled raised bands and gilt title lettering. The marbled boards and marbled endpapers align with period binding practices for deluxe issues. The boards remain firm and the spine intact. Pages are complete and clean overall, showing occasional mild toning consistent with mid-19th century French paper. Plates are well-preserved with good tonal range and impression strength. Text is printed in two columns with wide margins.

Why Collect This?

• Early illustrated printing issued by Hugo’s principal publishers
• Bound in period half morocco with gilt spine and marbled edges
• Includes nearly 200 engravings by Brion, not found in first editions
• Large quarto format uncommon for single-volume Hugo editions
• Suitable for collectors focused on illustrated French literary editions or Hetzel publications

Item Number: #28665