Victor Hugo raconté par un témoin de sa vie
First French edition of this work partly written by Victor Hugo.
An exceptional copy in full binding, enriched with a dedication from the author to Louise Colet as well as an autograph letter from her to Mrs. Victor Hugo.
2 volumes bound in 2 octavo volumes: I/ (2) ff., 421 pp.; II/ (2) ff., 487 pp.
Purple morocco, gilt border framing the covers, large blind-stamped central motif, gilt title and volume numbering in the center, spine with raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and floral tools, decorated edges, gilt inner roll, all edges gilt. Contemporary binding.
224 x 140 mm.
Hugo, Mrs. Victor. Victor Hugo Told by a Witness of His Life.
Paris, Librairie internationale, 1863.
Original French edition of this work, partly written by Victor Hugo.
Clouzot, 155; Carteret I, 434; Vicaire, IV, 466; Talvart IX p. 67, no. 120/B.
This edition is preferred over the Brussels edition published the previous year because it contains fewer errors and several additions.
Copy in contemporary full leather binding, enriched with a presentation inscription from the author: "To Mrs. Louise Colet. Affectionate remembrance. Adèle Victor Hugo."
This copy is also enriched with a beautiful letter from Louise Colet to Mrs. Victor Hugo, expressing her admiration for Les Misérables.
The author is none other than the poet's wife, Adèle Hugo, but, although Victor Hugo always denied having participated in writing this book, it is known that he provided active support, if not even drafted some passages.
Nearly a third of volume 1 consists of unpublished works by the poet, and about a hundred pages of volume 2 contain speeches and letters from exile that had not yet been published. (Carteret I/434).
Victor Hugo would not hesitate to include the work in his Collected Works.
Very beautiful and fresh copy in full contemporary binding, enriched with a presentation inscription from the author to Louise Colet as well as a beautiful autograph letter signed by Louise Colet to Madame Victor Hugo (dated 1862, 4 pp. in-8), testifying to her admiration for Les Misérables: "…These two admirable volumes... I felt such awe and enthusiasm that I couldn't wait to tell you. What a great work of genius… I now live only by this emotion… What power in a man who thus, through his words, seizes the souls of the whole world. That is true strength… How proud you must be to bear the name of such a master, of such a king…"
