Dealer's Lot of Napoleon Bonaparte Secretarially Signed Political & Military Docs, 6 Pcs

An interesting group of six French documents, May 1803 - September 1803, secretarially signed on behalf of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), then First Consul of France, as "Bonaparte." We judge Napoleon's signatures to be secretarial, although others might think otherwise. The documents are additionally countersigned by various cabinet ministers including Minister of War Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815), Minister of the Interior Jean-Antoine Chaptal (1756-1832), and Secretary of State Hugues-Bernard Maret (1763-1839). Partly printed and partly manuscript on vellum and paper, and in generally very good condition. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition.

The lot includes, in categorical and chronological order:

Political Documents

1. A large 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on vellum, printed [translated] "In the name of the French People / Bonaparte, first Consul of the French Republic" at top. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France on 27 Floréal l'An 11 (May 17, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by Interior Minister Jean-Antoine Chaptal at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Hugues-Bernard Maret at lower right. With a full and complete embossed state seal located near the bottom. Expected wear and warping, else near fine. 18.125" x 14.25."

The document appoints Citizen Jacques Falques, President of the General Council, as President of the Assembly for the canton of Sassenage, in the department of Isère, in southeastern France, for a 6-year-long term.

2. A large 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on pale green bifold paper, printed [translated] "In the name of the French People / Bonaparte, first Consul of the French Republic" at top. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France on 15 Fructidor l'An 11 (September 2, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by Interior Minister Chaptal at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Maret at lower right. Bearing an embossed seal at bottom. Expected folds and isolated closed tears and minor breaks along folds. Scattered foxing and discoloration, else near fine. 11.25" x 16.75."

The document appoints Citizen Martin, President of the General Council, as President of the Assembly for the canton of Maximin (possibly Saint-Maximin in the Oise department of northern France.) Citizen Martin was required to pledge his loyalty in a vow reproduced in the text, in part [translated]: "I promise to maintain the Government instituted by the Constitution of the Republic, to observe its laws and its rules, to comply with the instructions given to me for their execution; to maintain the order in the assembly over which I preside; to not permit that it engages in any other object than those prescribed by the letter of the convocation; to not tolerate any coalition designed to attract or harass the freedom of its citizens, and to not do anything by hate or by favor…"

Military Documents

3. A 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on vellum, printed [translated "French Republic / War Department" letterhead. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France, France on 15 Prairial L'An 11 (June 4, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by War Minister Louis-Alexandre Berthier at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Maret at lower right. Missing its seal. Expected wear including isolated discoloration and stray pencil marks, else near fine. 9.125" x 13."

The document grants a brevet promotion of lieutenant to Pierre Charles Canauls of the 52nd Brigade of the Line. It includes his military service record, and under the "Campaigns, Actions, Injuries" column, states that Canauls served on land and on sea and fought with the l'Armée du Nord in the Vendée region, in the West, and in Italy.

4. A 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on vellum, printed [translated "French Republic / War Department" letterhead. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France, France on 30 Fructidor L'An 11 (September 17, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by War Minister Berthier at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Maret at lower right. Bearing an embossed seal at lower left. Expected wear and warping, else near fine. 9.25" x 13."

The document grants a brevet promotion of sub-lieutenant to Charles Jean Garson of the 10th Brigade Light Infantry. It includes his military service record from his enlistment in April 1792 to the present day.

5. A 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on vellum, printed [translated "French Republic / War Department" letterhead. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France, France on 30 Fructidor L'An 11 (September 17, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by War Minister Berthier at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Maret at lower right. Bearing an embossed seal at lower left. Expected wear and warping, else near fine. 9.375" x 13.25."

The document grants a brevet promotion of sub-lieutenant to "Citizen Desseine" of the 56th Brigade of the Line. It includes his military service record, and under the "Campaigns, Actions, Injuries" column, states that Desseine served with l'Armée du Rhin in the West, and in Italy.

6. A 1p partly printed, partly manuscript document signed on vellum, printed [translated "French Republic / War Department" letterhead. Issued from the Château de Saint-Cloud, France, France on 30 Fructidor L'An 11 (September 17, 1803). Secretarially signed by Napoleon as "Bonaparte" at center; signed by War Minister Berthier at lower left; and signed by Secretary of State Maret at lower right. Bearing an embossed seal at lower left. Expected wear and warping, else near fine. 9.25" x 13.25."

The document grants a brevet promotion of captain to "Citoyen Fouet" of the 56th Brigade of the Line. It includes his military service record, and under the "Campaigns, Actions, Injuries" column, states that Fouet served with l'Armée du Nord, l'Armée de l'Italie, and with the short-lived Armée des Côtes de L'Océan (active January - September 1796.)

Napoleon Bonaparte served as First Consul of the French Republic from December 1799 to May 1804. He was coronated Emperor of France seven months later, in December 1804.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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