HUGO (Victor) Le Roi s'amuse, drama Paris: Librairie... Lot 44

HUGO (Victor) Le Roi s'amuse, drama Paris: Librairie d'Eugène Renduel, 1832. - In-8, red half-maroquin with corners, gilded fillets, ornate ribbed spine, gilded head, untrimmed (Bourlier). First edition of this famous drama by Victor Hugo, first performed at the Théâtre-Français on November 12, 1832. The play had a peculiar and eventful destiny. It was suspended by ministerial letter the day after the first performance. The author was criticized for his political attack on the monarchy. Hugo took the Théâtre-Français to court to protest the banning of his play, and echoes his struggle in the preface that opens this edition. The illustration includes a fine woodcut vignette on chine glued to the frontispiece, based on a composition by Tony Johannot. A complete copy of the Renduel catalog bound at the end, here of only 4 pages, announcing at the head "Les Écorcheurs" by the Viscount d'Arlincourt. (Some foxing and traces of dampstaining. Restorations to several leaves, without affecting the text. Stamp of a literary firm on title and page 1)