Lot 224
Hugo, Victor-Marie (1802-85) French poet, novelist, playwright, and statesman. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, in French, 7x 4½, Hauteville House (Guernsey, England), April 14, n.y. (c. 1864). Written while in exile from France (1851-70) for his opposition to Napoleon III's despotic rule. To an unidentified "friend and former colleague" regarding Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-82), Italy's revolutionary hero of unification. In part: "As long as Garibaldi is in England, I cannot write to him, it would be an indirect way to remind him that he promised to come to Guernsey, promise that obviously he cannot keep….But once Garibaldi is out of England, as the newspapers indicated…he is heading for Belgium 'having accepted in Brussels the hospitality of Mr. Lacroix, editor of Les Miserables' then, his departure being accomplished, it will be very simple for me to give you a letter for him, and you will see him in Brussels instead of seeing him in London…." Hugo was a great admirer of Garibaldi, whose assistance to the French Republic during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) would earn him a temporary seat, alongside Hugo, in the French National Assembly. The letter is matted with a portrait of Hugo and three plaques, one a name plaque, one holding a translation of the letter, and the other a biography of Hugo, all framed to an overall size of 21½ x 30¾ in. Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $3,000 |
