Accession Number

986.036.001.001

Description

A set of seven books, The Waverly Novels by Victor Hugo, deep burgundy-coloured leather on the spines wrapping around to the front and back covers, the leather cut into diagonals on the outside corners, two-thirds of the covers covered in brown and cream marble-like patterned paper, on the spine using gold leaf are four horizontal geometric designs, equally spaced, between the top and second design the author's name, then the title, and then the edition name, on one of the first pages a sepia-toned lithograph depicted a man in a canopy bed.

Narrative

This set of seven novels, Valjean Edition, by Victor Hugo was acquired by the late donor’s father and brother at the 1909 Craigdarroch auction. They also purchased four large Black forest carvings now owned by The Castle Society. The Craigdarroch auction catalogue lists lot #236 as “Five vols. by Victor Hugo”. While the number of books sold (five) doesn’t match this gift (seven), the story is believed by The Castle Society to be true. 

History of Use

Purchased by the Fields brothers at the Dunsmuir Executor's auction held at Craigdarroch in June, 1909 and kept in the family until donated to Craigdarroch in 1986 by the son and nephew of the brothers. 

Date

1900

Dimensions

22.7 x 16.8 cm

Material

Leather; Metal, gold; Paper

Support

Cardstock; Leather; Fabric

Technique

Bound; Handmade

Country of Origin

United States of America