From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: Perhaps Dumas' only attempt to write a story wholly in the form of imaginary letters. It is a pretty tale, based on the mysterious disappearance of Antoine, Comte de Moret, after the battle of Castelnaudary. It will be remembered that later, in 1866, Dumas commenced what promised to be a fine historical novel on this same theme, entitling it "Le Comte de Moret." (See page 416.) It may well be that his reading for this short story, "La Colombo," had been germinating in his mind during the interval. The period is 1637-38. De Mirecourt (most unreliable of authorities) says Paul Lacroix gave Dumas this story, but only verbally. Mr. R. S. Garnett suggests a first treatment by a lady, perhaps the Comtesse Dash, with a complete re-handling by Dumas. Certainly our author shows his hand and his skill very plainly.
Original edition : Paris, Cadot, 2 vols., 8vo., 1851.
Dumas reprinted it in "Le Monte-Cristo" for 1862.
In the standard Calmann-Lévy edition it is now included in one volume with "Maître Adam le Calabrais." (See page 130.) It is also included in the same firm's "Musée Littéraire."
In Le Vasseur's "Alexandre Dumas Illustré" it forms part of Vol. XI.
It has recently been chosen to form the first volume of Larousse's "Contes et Romans pour Tous."
References :— Glinel: "Alex. Dumas et Son Œuvre." page 426. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alex. Dumas," page 59.
English Translation :—
"The Dove" (with "Maître Adam"); London, Methuen, sewed, 1906.
