Napoleon Bonaparte Signed Military Order to Berthier — First Consul, Army of the Rhine, January 14, 1800
An important military letter signed “Bonaparte” by Napoleon Bonaparte during the opening weeks of his rule as First Consul of France.
Written at Paris on 24 Nivôse, Year VIII of the French Republic—January 14, 1800, the document is addressed to General Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Napoleon’s Minister of War and indispensable chief of staff. Napoleon directs Berthier to transmit troop-movement orders by telegraph and commands that the 13th Cavalry Regiment proceed to the Army of the Rhine. He further orders the regiment inspected before departure so that an exact report of its condition can be furnished.
Issued only two months after Napoleon seized power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire, the letter belongs to the formative opening of the Consulate. Napoleon was then reorganizing France’s military forces in preparation for the campaigns of 1800. The Army of the Rhine would soon conduct the campaign culminating in the decisive French victory at Hohenlinden.
The document is written in a secretarial hand on laid paper bearing an impressive engraved allegorical vignette of the French Republic. Napoleon personally signs the letter with a large, exceptionally bold example of his early “Bonaparte” signature—the form he used before assuming the imperial title in 1804.
At lower right is the crowned ownership stamp of the Bibliotheca Lindesiana, the renowned library assembled by the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres at Haigh Hall. This distinguished 19th-century collection provenance adds materially to the document’s historical and collecting interest.
A particularly desirable Napoleon document combining an early First Consul date, direct military orders, telegraphic communication, the Army of the Rhine, a handsome Republican vignette, an unusually strong signature, and distinguished British provenance.
Condition: Original folds, scattered light toning and foxing, minor marginal staining, and small edge losses, principally at the upper-right corner. Ink remains dark and legible; Napoleon’s signature is exceptionally bold. Bibliotheca Lindesiana stamp clear at lower right.
An important military letter signed “Bonaparte” by Napoleon Bonaparte during the opening weeks of his rule as First Consul of France.
Written at Paris on 24 Nivôse, Year VIII of the French Republic—January 14, 1800, the document is addressed to General Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Napoleon’s Minister of War and indispensable chief of staff. Napoleon directs Berthier to transmit troop-movement orders by telegraph and commands that the 13th Cavalry Regiment proceed to the Army of the Rhine. He further orders the regiment inspected before departure so that an exact report of its condition can be furnished.
Issued only two months after Napoleon seized power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire, the letter belongs to the formative opening of the Consulate. Napoleon was then reorganizing France’s military forces in preparation for the campaigns of 1800. The Army of the Rhine would soon conduct the campaign culminating in the decisive French victory at Hohenlinden.
The document is written in a secretarial hand on laid paper bearing an impressive engraved allegorical vignette of the French Republic. Napoleon personally signs the letter with a large, exceptionally bold example of his early “Bonaparte” signature—the form he used before assuming the imperial title in 1804.
At lower right is the crowned ownership stamp of the Bibliotheca Lindesiana, the renowned library assembled by the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres at Haigh Hall. This distinguished 19th-century collection provenance adds materially to the document’s historical and collecting interest.
A particularly desirable Napoleon document combining an early First Consul date, direct military orders, telegraphic communication, the Army of the Rhine, a handsome Republican vignette, an unusually strong signature, and distinguished British provenance.
Condition: Original folds, scattered light toning and foxing, minor marginal staining, and small edge losses, principally at the upper-right corner. Ink remains dark and legible; Napoleon’s signature is exceptionally bold. Bibliotheca Lindesiana stamp clear at lower right.
