Rare Collection of Victor Hugo's Works Preserved at Iran’s Astan Quds Library
A complete 16-volume set of works by renowned French author Victor Hugo, published in 1800s, is now housed in the printed rare books section of the Astan Quds Razavi Central Library, according to a senior librarian.
“This collection of literary works by Victor Hugo—one of France’s most celebrated novelists, poets, and playwrights—was printed in Paris by the Paul Ollendorff publishing house,” said Mohammadreza Taziki, a specialist at the library’s printed materials storage unit.
Taziki explained that the set includes several of Hugo’s key contributions to both poetry and prose. The first volume focuses on his poetic works and includes titles such as Odes and Ballads, Autumn Leaves from the East, Songs of Twilight, Inner Voices, Lights and Shadows, Contemplations, and Songs of the Streets and Woods.
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Victor Hugo (1802–1885) is considered one of the most influential figures in French literature. He is best known for his novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, both of which explore themes of justice, human suffering, and moral redemption. His writings, often politically charged, helped shape public thought in 19th-century France and beyond.
Beyond fiction, Hugo was also a prominent political thinker and human rights advocate. His poetry and plays are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth.
Taziki noted that the Astan Quds Razavi library currently houses over 22,100 lithographic books, around 2,000 of which are in foreign languages, including French. “This particular Victor Hugo collection is among the most valuable data-x-items in our printed rare books section,” he added.
The Astan Quds Razavi Central Library is one of the oldest and most prestigious libraries in Iran. Located in the northeastern city of Mashhad, it preserves a wide range of manuscripts, printed books, and archival materials in multiple languages.
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