Napoleon Bonaparte Signed 1801 Consular Guard Officer’s Commission
Military commission signed by Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of the French Republic, appointing veteran soldier Jean-Joseph Deneuilly a titular second lieutenant of grenadiers in the infantry of the elite Garde des Consuls.
Issued at Paris on 7 Germinal, Year IX of the French Republic—March 28, 1801, the impressive engraved and manuscript document is executed on vellum and headed “République Française.” Its finely engraved allegorical vignette depicts the seated figure of the Republic between the principles “Liberté” and “Égalité,” above the words “Honneur et Consul de la République.”
The commission records Deneuilly’s military career, beginning with his entry into the Penthièvre Infantry Regiment in 1784 and continuing through the campaigns of the French Revolution. Napoleon appoints him to the rank of second lieutenant in the infantry of the Consular Guard, the celebrated elite corps that subsequently evolved into the Imperial Guard.
Signed prominently “Bonaparte” as First Consul and countersigned by Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Minister of War and Napoleon’s indispensable chief of staff, and Hugues-Bernard Maret, Secretary of State. The large embossed seal of the French Republic remains affixed at the foot.
The document exhibits expected age toning, fading to portions of the manuscript entries, scattered staining and handling wear, and minor marginal imperfections. The engraved design, principal text, seal, and signatures remain clearly visible. Unframed.
A visually imposing and historically important artifact from the formative years of Napoleon’s rule, directly connected to the elite Consular Guard and bearing the signatures of three principal figures of the Napoleonic government.
Military commission signed by Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of the French Republic, appointing veteran soldier Jean-Joseph Deneuilly a titular second lieutenant of grenadiers in the infantry of the elite Garde des Consuls.
Issued at Paris on 7 Germinal, Year IX of the French Republic—March 28, 1801, the impressive engraved and manuscript document is executed on vellum and headed “République Française.” Its finely engraved allegorical vignette depicts the seated figure of the Republic between the principles “Liberté” and “Égalité,” above the words “Honneur et Consul de la République.”
The commission records Deneuilly’s military career, beginning with his entry into the Penthièvre Infantry Regiment in 1784 and continuing through the campaigns of the French Revolution. Napoleon appoints him to the rank of second lieutenant in the infantry of the Consular Guard, the celebrated elite corps that subsequently evolved into the Imperial Guard.
Signed prominently “Bonaparte” as First Consul and countersigned by Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Minister of War and Napoleon’s indispensable chief of staff, and Hugues-Bernard Maret, Secretary of State. The large embossed seal of the French Republic remains affixed at the foot.
The document exhibits expected age toning, fading to portions of the manuscript entries, scattered staining and handling wear, and minor marginal imperfections. The engraved design, principal text, seal, and signatures remain clearly visible. Unframed.
A visually imposing and historically important artifact from the formative years of Napoleon’s rule, directly connected to the elite Consular Guard and bearing the signatures of three principal figures of the Napoleonic government.
