Victor Hugo – Autograph Letter Signed 1865

Victor HUGO (1802 - 1885), French writer, poet, politician Autograph letter signed “V.H. " to a friend. October 19 (1865); 2 pages in-12° on blue paper, address on 4th page. Small 5ml ink corrosion hole with loss of one word. Beautiful letter from the poet who evokes in turn the affair of a usurpation of his identity, his work, the marriage of his son Charles: “Your sense of law has not deceived you. This random gentleman is not related to me, and wants to exploit my name. I had no brother named Léopold. The eldest was called Abel and the second Eugene. What you tell me on another question is also right, and reveals your deep feeling for art. Always think. B. belongs to art and true art. He's a poet. Hence the exception that I request for him, and on which I insist. As I wrote to M. L., B. is an anthology. I entrust all this to you. I write in haste. What you tell me about Ch. Des R. et des B. [Songs of the streets and woods, collection of poems published in 1865 in Belgium then the following year in France] charms me. You are a delicate spirit at the same time as a firm and good heart. We married Charles yesterday [marriage of his son Charles Hugo on October 17 with Alice Lehaene]. My best wishes go from you to him (…)” Victor Hugo in exile maintained a prolific literary activity. In 1862 he published “Les Misérables” and in 1865 his collection of poems “Songs of the streets and woods”.