^Lot 526 Victor Hugo

Important French writer, artist, and statesman (1802–1885) best known for such canonical novels as Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris (aka The Hunchback of Notre Dame). Much of his literary output was devoted to political and social issues, and in the 1840s he became actively involved in the French government as a legislator and staunch activist on behalf of the Republican cause. In 1851 the controversy surrounding his inflammatory writings denouncing Louis-Napoléon forced him into a two-decade exile, during which his productive creative pace barely slackened. Partial ALS in French, one page both sides, 5.75 x 7.25, no date. Final two pages of a longer letter written to a newspaper editor. Translated in full: “You have requested from me, sir, two literary authors. Here is one of them: Mr. Leon Masson that you will be able to employ both in the literary section as well as in the political pages of your newspaper. He is a young man full of talent and ideas who will prove a worthy collaborator as soon as he meets you. I believe you will be delighted with him as he will be with you.”Intersecting folds, several passing through signature, scattered toning and foxing, tape remnant to top edge, some light pooling of ink and stray ink marks, and a rough vertical edge, otherwise very good condition. Based on Hugo’s handwriting, this early letter can be dated to the 1830’s, the start of his literary career.