An 1845 first of La Reine Margot by Alexandre Dumas père sold for €31,594 (£28,035) including premium in a September 14 sale of the Vandaele library held by Tajan of Paris.
Bound as six octavo volumes in half red morocco gilt (above), it was offered again last month in a September 14 sale of the Vandaele library held by Tajan of Paris.
There it was described as a rare and sought-after work – written in collaboration with Auguste Maquet, as were a number of Dumas’ novels – and one that is defined in FW Reed’s 1933 bibliography of the author as the first of Dumas’ three great Valois romances.
Set in the years 1572-74, it includes a description of the St Bartholemew’s Day Massacre during the French religious wars of the period and the closing years of the reign of Charles IX. This time it was estimated at €2000-3000 but was bid instead to €31,594 (£28,035) including premium.
