Note by Hugo on a publisher's brochure on Coulemann

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 VMH/6/7
  • Dates of Creation
      Dated in Hugo's hand 5 October 1869
  • Physical Description
      1 letter (1 sheet)

Scope and Content

Note by Hugo on a publisher's brochure announcing tome III of J.J. Coulemann's Reminiscences (his Memoirs): "c'est le Coulmann (sic) qui le 17 juillet 1851, comme je descendais de la tribune après avoir dit Napoléon le Petit, murmura à l'oreille de Mme Gay (dans une tribune à côté de lui): – Ce Victor Hugo! Il aurait pu être archichancelier de l'Empire! Il se coule. Qué grosse bête!..." (It is the Coulemann who, on the 17th of July 1851, whispered to Mme Gay (she was sitting in the stand next to him) after Hugo had read his pamphlet Napoléon le Petit in front of the Assemblée nationale): "This Victor Hugo! He could have been Archchancellor of the Empire! He's ruining himself. [then, with a peasant accent underlined by Hugo's hand]: What a fool...).

On verso, one can read some drafts of lines, which are crossed-out. There is a stamp (the document has been sent to Hugo).

Bought from the Librairie de l'Abbaye on 27 July 1964 for 240 francs.