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 takes place on the island of France (Mauritius) in the late 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 faces 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 foster equality. The novel advocates a progressive and anti-racist vision, rare for its time. This edition is so rare that no copy is listed in the BNF’s digital catalog. Vicaire (III, 357–358) has never seen it himself and cites it based on Quérard, who provides this 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 role in the novel’s creation, but he never confirmed this, and his style differs from that of Dumas, who always maintained that he wrote the novel alone. Mallefille most likely provided the original idea, the Mauritian setting, and some of the research, while 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 color born in Saint-Domingue, for whom the issues of racism and the dignity of people of color resonated deeply with his family history. A very modest copy, in a contemporary binding, exhibiting numerous flaws. 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 December 12, 2019. Rubbed edges, worn corners, and missing material at the hinge of the front cover of the second volume. Stains and tears—sometimes 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 text loss on pages 79–80 and 87–88 of Volume 2. Insect trails in the inner margin of pages 55 through 70 in Volume 3.