HUGO, Victor. Actes et Paroles 1870-1871-1872. (FIRST EDITION - 1872 - INSCRIBED BY HUGO TO GEORGE SAND)

AUTHOR: HUGO, Victor. 

TITLE: Actes et Paroles 1870-1871-1872.

PUBLISHER: Paris: Michel Levy Freres, Editeurs, 1872.

DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION INSCRIBED BY HUGO TO GEORGE SAND. 1 vol., 7-7/16" x 4-3/4", inscribed on the half-title "a George Sand / Victor Hugo", bound in full red morocco, raised bands, gilt lettered spine, front cover tooled in blind with an inlaid bronze profile pf Napoleon III, the rear cover with a recessed star tooled in blind, in the center are the bronze initials "V . H", green morocco doublures, boublures tooled with repeating Napoleonic bee's, double marbled endpapers, original printed paper wrappers and spine bound in, all edges gilt, by Petrus Ruban.

CONDITION: Internally clean and bright, inner and outer hinges fine, head and foot of spine fine, overall VERY GOOD.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accompanying this item is a letter dated Paris 17 Oct. 1897 from the binder Ruban to a George Payson of Chicago which reads in part "I have chosen to send you this volume instead as it is much more interesting, being a volume inscribed by Victor Hugo to Georges Sand, making it a rare book. Its binding is also quite original, recalling the era of Napoleon III. It is thus a unique volume.". The letter was at one time tipped into the rear of this volume.

George Sand, the most influential female author in France during the nineteenth century and arguably second only to Victor Hugo among all writers in the history of French literature. She was unapproached among women novelists during her day and is considered by many to be the very first professional woman writer of fiction. She was said to have contemplated Victor Hugo for an amorous adventure. Hugo, however, was far too involved with himself to have time for anyone else, let alone a female writer with an already considerable reputation.

Victor Hugo remarked that the revolution had turned the world upside-down, drawing into the political arena two of the most famous writers of the time: "a woman called Lamartine and a man called George Sand."

She had a great friendship with Victor Hugo by correspondence but these two great personalities never met. In the speech at the funeral of George Sand, Victor Hugo eulogized her part in French literature as one of the jewels of their century and their country. According to Hugo, George Sand has a big heart like Barbès, a great spirit like Balzac, a great soul like Lamartine, she has a unique place in their time, others are great men, and she is the great woman.