72. Hugo, Victor. Wonderful autograph letter signed (“V.”), 3 pages (4 x 6.75 in.; 102 x 171 mm.), in French, front and back on conjoined leaves, Hauteville House, 30 October [1861], written to his brother-in-law and playwright, Paul Foucher. With autograph address overleaf. Blank margins of pages 1 & 2 have been trimmed; slight separations at horizontal folds on right margin on page 3; light spotting.

While living in exile, Victor Hugo writes to his brother-in-law, Paul Foucher: Les Misérables…is sold and is about to go to press…I will only return to France when freedom is returned.”

Victor Hugo writes in full:
My good Paul, On September 2, just as I was returning to Guernsey having succeeded in restoring my health, you did even better, you triumphantly presented your thoughts in a play. Thank you for letting me read L’Institutrice. I applauded you throughout the reading. At the Odeon you thought I was possessed with the spirit of passion. The idea exposed in your play is new, your standpoint is extremely interesting, the main character is ravishing. You deserved, and I know you got, a great and heartwarming success. I am keeping my eyes on you, I am both far and near you, and I love all the good things that are happening to you. You know you can count on my deep and absolute friendship. Keep on working and you’ll succeed. These joys shed light in my solitude. I am having some work done here, at the house, and it has delayed the arrival of my wife and my daughter who do not relish the presence of carpenters and masons…Next month the Hauteville group will meet again…if you came it would be complete. I have not mentioned Les Misérables. I am sure you know that they were sold and are about to go to press. I wish you would find a way to dispel once and for all and in an absolutely independent way the persistent rumor that was started with malice of my return to Paris. I just received a newspaper from Brest, distributed by Havas, which states that it is indeed the case. Please do me the favor of reminding people of the statement I released following the amnesty published by [?] in France (himself): nothing will make me move; true to my statement, I will only return to France when freedom is returned. I thank you in advance and I send my love to everyone around you. Your brother V.
Would you be kind enough to put in the mail the enclosed letter.

Hugo had left France following a coup d’état of December 1851 that led to the establishment of the Second Empire. He settled in Guernsey, and even after an amnesty was granted in 1859, he refused to return to France. Only in 1870, after the fall of the empire and the proclamation of the Third Republic, did he return. While in exile, living in virtual solitude, Hugo produced some of his most original writings. Les Misérables was published in 1862 and was enormously successful, both in France and abroad.
$4,000 - $6,000

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

After payment has been made in full, Profiles in History may, as a service to buyers, arrange to have property packed, insured and shipped at your request and expense. For shipping information, please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. In circumstances in which Profiles in History arranges and bills for such services via invoice or credit card, we will also include an administration charge. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges from Profiles in History's offices in Calabasas, CA to the buyer's door. If items are of unusual size and/or weight, they will require special handling and will incur an additional shipping premium as charged by the carrier. Please see Terms & Conditions of Sale.

by Profiles in History
June 11, 2015 11:00 AM PDT
26662 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA, US 91302

Profiles in History

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $249,999 $10,000
$250,000 + $25,000