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. ALS in French, one page, 5 x 8, February 28 [no year]. An untranslated letter regarding a possible dinner date and mentioning M. Odilon-Bariot. Accompanied by an engraved invitation from Hugo for a dinner at his home on October 8, 1879, after the 100th “representation” of Notre Dame de Paris. The items are matted and framed together with a photo to an overall size of 22.75 x 18.75. In good condition, with letter affixed to same-sized card, intersecting folds (vertical fold to last name; separations repaired from reverse), allover wrinkling, and light soiling. The writing is otherwise clear and dark. R&R COA.
