Hugo, Victor

16mo (143 x 92mm.), FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ("A mon cher et excellent | Gaspard de Pons | Victor") on half-title, lithographed frontispiece by P. Adam after Devéria, final advertisement leaf, contemporary half calf with marbled boards, spine gilt in compartments, marbled edges, occasional light foxing, lacking original printed wrappers, marbled boards faded

Carteret I, 396

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Gaspard de Pons (1798-1861) was a friend of Hugo's from his youth; both he and Alfred de Vigny were Hugo's seconds in a duel he fought in around 1820. He was also a writer and dedicated one of his books to Hugo in 1821.

Bug-Jargal, like Han d'Islande (1823), had been published anonymously, though Hugo's Odes had been published in his own name in 1822. The novel is set at the time of the Haitian Revolution against French colonial rule, and was first published in the Conservateur littéraire in 1820.