Description
DUMAS (Alexandre).
Georges.
Paris: Dumont, 1843. — 3 volumes, in-8, 205 x 126: pp. (3)-330; 323 pp.; 322 pp. Marbled half-basane, smooth spine, speckled edges (contemporary binding).
A very rare first edition of this novel inspired by the author’s mixed-race heritage.
The story is set on the Île de France (Mauritius) at the end of the 18th century. Georges, a young man of mixed race from a noble family, returns to his native island after being educated in Europe. He intends to break down the racial prejudices of this slave-owning society and reunite with Sara, a young mixed-race woman he loves. He comes up against the hatred of his brother Jacques and the arrogance of the white colonists. A naval battle pits Georges against Jacques, in which he triumphs but refuses to kill his brother. His courage and nobility ultimately command respect and secure equality. The novel advocates a progressive and anti-racist perspective, rare for its time.
This edition is so rare that no copy is listed in the BNF’s digital catalogue. Vicaire (III, 357–358) has never seen it himself and quotes it from Quérard, who gives the following description: ‘It is one of the finest novels ever published under the name of Mr Alex. Dumas; but according to Mr Eug. de Mirecourt (…) its true author is Mr Mallefille. ‘It is,’ he adds, ‘a masterpiece’ (Supercheries littéraires, I, 1103).
Legend has it that the Mauritian novelist and playwright Félicien Mallefille (1813–1868) played a part in the novel’s creation, but he never confirmed this, and his style differs from that of Dumas, who always maintained that he had written the novel alone. Mallefille most likely provided the original idea, the Mauritian setting and some of the research, whilst Dumas wrote the final text. The subject was, moreover, close to the writer’s heart; he was himself the son of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a man of colour born in Saint-Domingue, for whom the issues of racism and the dignity of people of colour resonated deeply with his family history.
A very modest copy, in a contemporary binding, showing numerous defects. To our knowledge, this is the only copy to have come up for sale in the last 20 years; it was purchased by Mr Mozis at Alde on 12 December 2019.
Rubbed edges, worn corners, and losses at the hinge of the front cover of the second volume. Stains and tears, some of them significant, on several leaves. The half-title page of the first volume is missing. The first two leaves of each volume have been re-glued. Significant tears on the title leaf of the first volume, with losses and damage to the address. A large tear with significant loss of text on pages 79–80 and 87–88 of volume 2. Insect damage in the inner margin of pages 55 to 70 in volume 3.
See original version (French)
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About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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