ALS in French, signed “Juliette,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.25, February 11, 1848. Handwritten letter to illustrious French writer Victor Hugo by his lifelong lover, clearly demonstrating her devotion to him. Notably, a few days before the start of the 1848 French Revolution, Drouet refers to making copies of Victor Hugo’s first version of his masterpiece, Les Misérables.
In full (translated): "Good morning, my poor adored one, good morning, my sublime beloved, good morning. I just got up earlier and I'm still pretty unwell; however, I'm less sick than last night and, this morning, I even think I'm starting to feel hungry, which is a good sign. I didn't want to go out today because my kidneys are very painful. Tomorrow I'll go to the doctor, and if he advises me to exercise, I'll do it every day nonetheless. You see I'm quite easy-going. Dear adored one, I'm going to hurry up and put some water on my body, make your herbal tea, and start copying while I wait for you. Nothing rests me or is more pleasant to me than this kind of occupation. There is no illness that can resist it. I forget that I'm suffering while reading all these admirable things. Last night, I almost wanted to get up again and get started. It would have been better than tossing myself in insomnia like I did or handing myself to terrible dreams. Fortunately, this dreadful night is over and I hope it won't return for a long time. The proof of this is that I feel hungry. However, I won't eat until this evening so as not to overload my stomach. Until then, I will think of you and love you with all my strength." In fine condition, with writing showing through from opposing sides.
Drouet’s letters to Victor Hugo form one of the most beautiful correspondences of French literature. While most of them are held at the French National Library, a small portion of them have remained in private hands. Although Drouet’s unique figure has traditionally been somewhat overshadowed by Hugo’s, interest in her has steadily increased in recent years. Her role has been reassessed and she is now recognized as a prominent feminine figure of 19th century France. On the literary side, apart from providing constant support to copy Hugo’s texts—which she mentions in the offered letter—she is known to have saved his manuscripts when the writer had to leave France after Napoleon III’s coup in December 1851.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$35.00
*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.
