The Wandering Jew

London: Chapman and Hall, 1844-1845 . First edition. Leather. Very Good. 9" by 6". Not Stated. The complete first English language edition of Eugene Sue's popular work of French literature, illustrated throughout. Sadleir, 3159. The first issue of the first edition, with plates. The first edition was reissued without plates in late 1845.Illustrated with ninety-six plates across all three volumes, engraved by Heath after various artists. Lacking eight plates, including the frontispiece of volume III.Eugene Sue was a French novelist, considered to be one of a number of authors responsible for the popularisation of the serial novel.His works were strongly influenced by the upcoming notions of socialism, with this considered to be a strongly 'anti-Catholic' work, and to have influenced legislation on the Jesuits, and caused a general "jesuitophobie".With the armorial bookplate of 'Learmount' to each front pastedown, and contemporary inscriptions, dated 1846, to the verso of each front free endpaper.A uniformly bound three volume set of this influential, and somewhat controversial work, by the noted French author Eugene Sue. In full calf bindings, with gilt detailing to back strips. Externally, very smart. Rubbing to back strip head and tail and joints, with boards clean. Bookplates to front pastedowns, with inscriptions to versos of front free endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages lightly age toned, with significant spotting to plates. Volume I frontispiece partially hand coloured by a prior owner. Very Good