Germinal - Émile Zola (G. Charpentier et Cie, Paris, 1885, Quinzième Mille)

This G. Charpentier et Cie, Paris 1885 edition of Germinal is of interest to collectors of Émile Zola, 19th century French literature, Rougon-Macquart editions, and period binder's bindings.

About: Good copy in a period half-leather binder's binding; crimson morocco spine with raised bands and gilt lettering, marbled boards in red and cream with crimson leather corner pieces, binding with significant wear including loss to spine head and corners, some rubbing and surface marks to boards; text block firm with pages showing age toning consistent with period; title page confirms Germinal par Émile Zola, Quinzième Mille (15,000th copy printing), Paris, G. Charpentier et Cie, Éditeurs, 1885, published in the same year as the first edition: a characterful and historically significant copy of one of the great novels of French literature, in an attractive period binding.

Details:

• Title: Germinal
• Author: Émile Zola
• Publisher: G. Charpentier et Cie, Éditeurs, Paris
• Publication Date: 1885
• Edition: Quinzième Mille (15,000th copy printing, same year as first edition)
• Series: Les Rougon-Macquart, Histoire naturelle et sociale d'une famille sous le Second Empire
• Binding: Half-leather period binder's binding, crimson morocco spine with raised bands, marbled boards
• Condition: Good
  

Synopsis: G. Charpentier Paris 1885 edition, Quinzième Mille; part of the Rougon-Macquart series; period half-leather binder's binding with crimson morocco spine and marbled boards; appealing to collectors of Zola, 19th century French literature, and period bindings.

Review: Émile Zola's Germinal, first published in 1885, is the thirteenth novel in the Rougon-Macquart cycle and one of the towering works of 19th century European literature. Set in the coal-mining communities of northern France, it follows Étienne Lantier as he arrives at the Voreux mine and becomes embroiled in the desperate lives of the miners and their ultimately doomed strike against the mining company. A searing indictment of industrial capitalism and a compassionate portrait of working-class solidarity, Germinal remains Zola's most celebrated and politically resonant novel. This 1885 Charpentier edition, in its attractive period half-leather binding - is a significant and collectible copy of a landmark of world literature.