HUGO (Victor). On a Journey. The Rhine. Drawings by Victor H - Lot 203

HUGO (Victor). On a Journey. The Rhine. Drawings by Victor Hugo. One of the first publications of Victor Hugo’s drawings, featured in this beautiful collection of four travel narratives. [Paris, Eugène Hugues], n.d. [1890 according to Vicaire, vol. IV, 300]. One in-4 volume (280x190 mm), in brown half-basane and percaline with blind-stamped edges, ribbed spine adorned with gilt titles. Spine sun-faded, some foxing. A collection of four travel narratives bound together, comprising the following: -On a Journey. The Rhine. Drawings by Victor Hugo. 288 pp. [Eugène Hugues, 1890]. -On a Journey. The Alps and the Pyrenees. 116 pp., 1 folio of notes, 1 folio of tables, and illustrations. [Paris, Librairie du Victor Hugo illustré], n.d. (1894). -En voyage. France and Belgium. 104 pp. [Paris, Librairie du Victor Hugo illustré], n.d. (1895). -The Channel Archipelago. 51 pp. (LI). [Paris, 1883]. The set is adorned with numerous black-and-white illustrations in the text and full-page illustrations, printed in two columns. Beautiful periodical editions of Victor Hugo’s travel narratives, illustrated with approximately 44 drawings by the author and collected in a single volume (also illustrated by: J. Adeline, A. Brun, L. Mouchot, G. Gelibert, F. Méaulle, and H. Vogel). [VICAIRE, IV, pp. 410–411]. Unnumbered proof copy. During his travels with his mistress Juliette Drouet beginning in 1834, Victor Hugo sketched numerous drawings and mementos, demonstrating both his great talent as a visual artist and his sensitive—sometimes fantastical or somber—vision of his life and his era. The final story in the series, titled “L’Archipel de la Manche,” would serve as a preliminary chapter to the novel *Les Travailleurs de la mer* in later editions. In it, he describes the bucolic charm of the Channel Islands and the hospitality and generosity of their inhabitants, while also critiquing their superstitions and archaic customs. Rare.