Important French writer, artist, and statesman (1802–1885) best known for such canonical novels as Les Miserables 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-Napoleon forced him into a two-decade exile, during which his productive creative pace barely slackened. ALS in French, one page, 5.25 x 6.5, October 1, tipped into a copy of Chastelard by Algernon Swinburne, dedicated to Hugo. In full (translated): “I am rather clumsy, Monsieur, for having lost the address of Monsieur Charles [Duron (?]), our excellent friend. Be good enough to tell him that my eyesight is not very good, and I have a lot of things to tell him as well as at the day when I will [actually] see him. You will give me joy [make me happy] to come and see me.” In very good condition, with mild toning, several intersecting folds, substantial (repairable) separation at the top and bottom along a fragile vertical fold, and bleeding of the ink to his signature. Wonderfully personal content from the titan of French literature. On occasion, Hugo would use his eyesight as an excuse to fall back on. It is said he aggravated this problem by staring directly at the sun at times, resulting in permanent damage. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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