Illustrated edition of ‘Le Chevalier de Maison Rouge’ by Alexandre Dumas, published by Collins Clear-Type Press

This is an early 20th-century edition of Alexandre Dumas’s historical novel ‘Le Chevalier de Maison Rouge,’ originally published in 1845. The novel is set during the French Revolution and tells the story of a conspiracy to rescue Marie Antoinette from prison. Collins Clear-Type Press of London and Glasgow produced affordable, illustrated editions of classic literature in the early 1900s, making great works accessible to a broader reading public.

This edition features illustrations by Harold Piffard, a British illustrator known for his work in early 20th-century publications. Book collectors and enthusiasts of classic French literature, particularly those interested in Dumas’s swashbuckling historical romances, value these illustrated editions for their historical significance and decorative appeal. The Collins Clear-Type Press editions are appreciated for their quality production and period charm, representing an important era in popular publishing when classic literature was made widely available to the general public.