"Hans of Iceland, A Romance of 1699" and "Bug-Jurdal" by Victor Hugo, published by H.L. Burt Company, New York, undated, 1880s; illustrated. Hugo's two first novels in one volume.

Hard boards, original publisher's blue cloth [light fading in shape of a large circle on the front board], gold lettering on spine; 5.1/4" x 7.1/2"; frontispiece with tissue guard and 7 monochrome plates on glossy paper, 486 pages, very good condition.

In 1823, Victor Hugo published his first novel, "Han d'Islande", which in 1825 appeared in an English translation as "Hans of Iceland". The journalist Charles Nodier was enthusiastic about it and drew Hugo into the group of friends, all devotees of Romanticism, who met regularly at the Bibliotheque de L'Arsenal. While frequenting this literary circle, which was called the Cenacle, Hugo shared in launching a new review of moderate tendencies, the Muse Francaise (1823–24). In 1824, he published a new verse collection, Nouvelles Odes, and followed it two years later with an exotic romance, "Bug-Jargal" (Engl. transl. "The Slave King").

Victor Hugo's first novel revolves around the son of the viceroy of Norway (Ordener Guldenlew), his friendship with a political prisoner (John Schumacker), and his secret love affair with the prisoner's daughter (Ethel). When a plot surfaces to bring about the death of Schumacker, the former chancellor, Ordener risks his life to save his friend and his love. Everyone seems to cross paths with the infamous brigand, Han of Iceland, who does not seek to help either side, but takes pleasure in killing everyone he meets.

Victor Hugo's "Bug-Jargal" (1826) is one of the most important works of nineteenth-century colonial fiction, and quite possibly the most sustained novelistic treatment of the Haitian Revolution by a major European author. Set in 1791, during the first months of a slave revolt that would eventually lead to the creation of the black republic of Haiti in 1804, "Bug-Jargal" is a stirring tale of interracial friendship and rivalry, a provocative account of the ties that bind a young Frenchman to one of the rebel leaders and the tragic misunderstandings that threaten to sever those ties completely.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------ $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) ----- $27.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) ------ $35.50