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an old photo of a man sitting in a chair with his hand on his china close up of a black and white picture of a picture of a coat of arms
Balsan Encheres

733 - BESANÇON / LITERATURE - VICTOR HUGO ( * ) - PHOTOGRAPH from …
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Estimate €200
Sale commission
Description
BESANÇON / LITERATURE - VICTOR HUGO ( * ) - PHOTOGRAPH from 1861 by PIERRE PETIT, University Gate, Champ de Mars Park in PARIS - Famous photograph, albumen bromide mounted on card, visiting-card size 10.5 x 6.3 cm – Close-up of Hugo seated, left hand supporting his face, viewed from the front. The very first photograph of Victor HUGO with a beard. It was in January 1861, following a severe sore throat, that Victor Hugo decided to grow a beard; a snub to the imperial authorities who had decreed a ban on beards amongst the teaching profession. ( * ) Victor HUGO: born on 7 Ventôse, Year X (26 February 1802) in Besançon, died in Paris on 22 May 1885 – Poet, playwright, novelist and illustrator associated with the Romantic movement. One of the most significant writers in the French language and in world literature. He was also a committed political and intellectual figure active during the Second and Third Republics. He went into exile for 20 years, first in Brussels, then in Jersey and Guernsey. A leading opponent of the Second Empire, committed to peace and freedom, he opposed the death penalty and slavery. The Republic held a state funeral for him and transferred his remains to the Panthéon on 1 June 1885; over two million people turned out to pay their respects.
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About the sale SALE OF COINS, BANKNOTES, MEDALS, CIVILIAN AND MILITARY HEADGEAR, INSIGNIA AND DECORATIONS – lots 300 to 598 Followed by OLD PAPERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POSTCARDS, DOCUMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – Lots 599 to 862
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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