HUGO (Victor).

Lot 46
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Estimation :
2500 - 3000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 4 550EUR
HUGO (Victor).
Ruy Blas. Paris, H. Delloye ; Leipzig, Brockhaus et Avenarius, 1838. In-8, green half-chagrin with small corners, spine decorated, crowned numeral at the end, marbled edges (Binding of the time). First edition. Ruy Blas was created on November 8, 1838 for the inauguration of the Renaissance theatre, co-founded by the author, with Frédérick Lemaître in the title role. Théophile Gautier, enchanted, wrote about it that it was the most beautiful play since the Cid. The play was banned under the Second Empire and it was not performed again until 1872 (with Sarah Bernhardt in the role of the Queen of Spain). Since 1879, it has been included in the repertoire of the Comédie-Française. A very fine and precious copy, bound in the cipher of Henri d'Orléans, Duke of Aumale (1822-1897). An attractive provenance for this eminent bibliophile, whose almost all books are kept in his museum-library in Chantilly, and who, like Hugo a little later, was forced into exile after the 1848 Revolution and the election of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. The copy is enriched by an autograph note from Victor Hugo addressed to Monsieur Berton, written on blue paper and dated Hauteville House, December 15, 1869 (one page in-12). The addressee of this note seems to be the actor Francisque Berton (1820-1874); Victor Hugo tells him of his worries after his Ruy Blas was banned in France (in December 1867): The difficulties are great for mounting Ruy Blas, for I doubt that with the present dispersion of talents and in the absence of a complete troupe, one should succeed. Absent, I let it happen. Believe that I will always be happy if it is given to me to contribute to the success of your talent so justly applauded. Some light freckling.
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