Napoleon Bonaparte Autographed Military Commission and Document Collection.

BONAPARTE, Napoleon.

Item Number: 115652

Rare military commission boldly signed by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. One page, dated April 19, 1812, the document contains a request for 17,861 francs to replace uniforms and shoes that were destroyed in a fire in the city of Aurich on July 18, 1811. Additionally signed by Napoleon’s Minister of War, “Duc de Feltre.” Accompanied by several additional military documents in French and German including an autograph letter signed by Michel Ney four days prior to the battle of Guttstadt-Deppen, two reports of the inspector of engineering pertaining to fortifications, and many others. With a first edition auction catalog from Sotheby’s Napoleon & Berthier Auction on Tuesday, March 1, 1938. In near fine to fine condition. An exceptional collection.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He won most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, his wars and campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide. He also remains one of the most celebrated and controversial political figures in human history.