HUGUES, Clovis (1851-1907), French poet, novelist and politi - Lot 181

HUGUES, Clovis (1851-1907), French poet, novelist and politician. La Chanson de Jehanne d'Arc. Autograph manuscript signed "C.H.". Various dates, from October 30, 1895 at the head of the first chapter to November 10, 1898. Approx. 560 in-4 pages bound in one volume, brown chagrin. Front cover detached. Important working manuscript, complete and reworked, mounted on tabs. Black ink. Countless bold erasures, additions and corrections. PRECIOUS TESTIMONY TO THE GENESIS OF THE CHANSON DE JEHANNE D'ARC. Beautiful autograph letter to his daughter: "I offer my dear daughter Mireille the draft of this work, which has been my joy, hope and consolation. Clovis Hugues. 1899 ". His daughter, Mireille Andrieu (1881-1965), like her role model Joan of Arc, was a heroine. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her role as a nurse and her bravery during the First World War in Soissons. La Chanson de Jehanne d'Arc was published by Charpentier in 1900, and won the Prix de l'Académie that same year. Hugues was an ardent devotee of Joan of Arc, and is said to have kept a piece of wax from the seal of the Pucelle's sentence. He passed this passion on to his daughter, whose torch we now present. MLL