Up for sale is an authentic, original handwritten letter signed (ALS) by the celebrated French writer Victor Hugo.

This piece has been fully authenticated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services and comes with a formal Letter of Authenticity (LOA #AT03297).

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WHY THIS LETTER IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE:
While routine correspondence or brief signed notes by Victor Hugo appear on the secondary market from time to time, letters in which Hugo explicitly writes the title or personal abbreviation of his own literary masterworks in his own hand are exceedingly scarce.

In this publishing-related letter to his editor/printer, Hugo writes:
"Je tâcherai de vous envoyer demain N.-D. en France..."
("I will try to send you tomorrow N.-D. in France...")

Here, "N.-D." represents Hugo's standard personal handwritten abbreviation for his immortal masterpiece, "Notre-Dame de Paris" (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). Autograph letters featuring Hugo's own handwriting referencing "Notre-Dame de Paris" are rarely seen outside of institutional archives and museums, making this a prime target for advanced literary collectors.

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ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL & LITERARY CONTEXT:
1. Poetic Layout Instructions: Hugo provides specific layout orders for three lines of poetry (reflecting themes from his collection 'Les Contemplations'):
- "Puisque nos larmes..."
- "L'espoir en Dieu..."
- "Puisque ma terre en fleurs..."

2. Reference to Louise Bertin: Hugo asks the recipient, "Avez-vous songé à ce bel exemplaire que Mme Louise Bertin ?"
Louise Bertin (1805–1877) was a close friend and composer who famously collaborated with Hugo on the opera 'La Esmeralda' (based on 'Notre-Dame de Paris'), for which Hugo personally authored the libretto.

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FULL ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

"Here is the copy. I am not sending you the order yet, because there may be inserted additions. However, one can print following what is already there, in the order below, the three poems:

- 'Puisque nos larmes...' [Since our tears...]
- 'L'espoir en Dieu...' [Hope in God...]
- 'Puisque ma terre en fleurs...' [Since my land in bloom...]

I will try to send you tomorrow N.-D. [Notre-Dame] en France. Send me some advance proofs. — Have you considered that fine copy that Mrs. Louise Bertin has? —

All yours,
V.H."

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CONDITION & AUTHENTICITY:
- Authenticity: 100% Guaranteed Genuine. Includes original PSA/DNA LOA (#AT03297).