ALS in French, one page (with integral address leaf addressed in Hugo’s hand), 5.25 x 8, no date. Letter to “Monsieur Ch. Duveyrier,” presumably playwright Charles Duveyrier. In part (translated): “It was a great success, the success that fills me with happiness, the success which I foresaw—and how I hope—will be repeated in the near future…I want to enjoy this applause again.” Hugo also filled out the address panel on the reverse of the second integral page, which bears a Paris, 1860, postmark stamp. In fine condition, with light intersecting folds passing through the signature and mild overall wrinkling. Although Hugo is best known for his novels and poetry, he was also a rather prolific dramatist. It is unclear what play this letter could refer to, as Hugo had stopped writing stage dramas in 1843—perhaps it was a performance of one of his earlier works. It could have been this instance of “applause” that inspired him to return to the form, as he wrote a series of plays, some dating to the 1860s, which were published posthumously in a collection entitled Theatre en liberte. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
