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. Scarce carte-de-visite portrait, 2.5 x 4, signed and inscribed in French (translated) “To my very good Friend, M. Le Ber, Victor Hugo.” The reverse bears a signed ink notation: “Dear Mrs Hammond, I give you with great pleasure the photograph given to me by the great poet. P. R. Le Ber, Guernsey, October 20, 1867.” Hugo spent part of his exile in Guernsey, from 1855–70 and 1872–73. A few faint smudges and tiny spot of skinning to background of image, otherwise fine condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
