A Brief Survey of Napoleon Signed Historical Documents Collectors Can Look For on the Market
Napoleon Bonaparte was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant commanders in military history; he carried the message of the French Revolution throughout Europe.
Napoleon was also a prolific letter writer. The key to appreciating his signed documents–in terms of their historical importance–is an understanding of the era, the battles he fought, the strength of character that led to his meteoric rise, and his populous appeal to the global masses. He was prominent for a comparatively brief period of time, so most of his pieces date from 1793 through 1814.
While scholars and collectors have long studied Napoleon, his name reached a new level of fame following the 2023 epic historical drama based on his life. This has tempted a new generation of those who might wish to own a Napoleon autograph.
Documenting Napoleon’s Rise to Power
Born on the island of Corsica in 1769, Napoleon rose to prominence in the French army, becoming a general and then Emperor as he attempted to conquer much of Europe and Russia in the first two decades of the nineteenth century.
This document, signed by Napoleon in October 1793, heralds what would become known as the Napoleonic Era. Just days after his first-ever promotion to Chief of Battalion, Napoleon signed this important document, an artillery list, during the Siege of Toulon.
This is one of the earlier such documents to have reached the market. In fact, it was so early in Napoleon’s military career that he signed it using the early Italian form of his name, “Buonaparte.”
Napoleon’s leadership led to a French victory at Toulon, for which he would be rewarded by Robespierre with another promotion only two months later. As a military commander, he ascended quickly through the ranks as France continued its war with most of Europe.
After becoming first consul in February 1800, Napoleon reorganized his armies and defeated Austria. In 1802, he established the Napoleonic Code, a new system of French law, and in 1804 he established the French empire, installing himself as Emperor Napoleon I.
On his first official grand tour as Emperor in the summer of 1804–weeks after he gave himself the title and months before his coronation–Napoleon signed this document that showcased his new titles with its “Napoleon I” header. It is a very early document on “Napoleon I” letterhead, the earliest we found having reached the market.
Napoleon Conquers Europe
As Emperor, Napoleon continued to lead his army, with his own boots on the ground. In March 1805, the Italian Republic, whose president was Napoleon, became the Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon titled King of Italy.
Wartime Letters
As he welcomed Venice into the new Kingdom of Italy the following year, Napoleon proclaimed, in this signed letter to step-son and viceroy Eugène de Beauharnais, the rights of a victor: “I have treated Venice as a conquered country, without any doubt. Did I obtain it other than through victory?”
Napoleon’s victories had much to do with his skill as a leader. He was a man of the people, and his soldiers revered him. In 1806, Napoleon imparted leadership advice in this signed letter: “…it is advantageous for the good of the service to be liked.”
It’s a powerful and emblematic statement, the first we have seen, from the man who defined an era and earned the love of his fighting men.
The greatest conqueror since Alexander the Great was not, however, immune to defeat. Two years after his conquest of Italy, Napoleon suffered his first great land defeat at the Battle of Balien in Spain. Writing to his General Georges Mouton, Napoleon takes account of captured soldiers and supplies needed to move forward.
Letters from Napoleon in Madrid are very uncommon, as he remained there only weeks and never returned. This one has never before been offered for sale. It was acquired from the direct US-based descendants of the recipient and does not appear in the published works of Napoleon.
Military Orders
In 1809, Napoleon readied for an invasion of Spain and Portugal, part of the Peninsular War. He prepared the 8th Corps with this complete and original order directing military efforts to arm and supply units that took the city of Astorgas, a key flank position meant to be the headquarters of invasion. Complete orders of Napoleon are very uncommon.
Artifacts from Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia
As he fought his way through Europe, Napoleon conceived of a travel library in order to make his hours of intellectual recreation independent of the exigencies of a campaign or the delays of a courier. More importantly, during times of battle, he ordered books that taught him the topography of the countries he was invading and gave him other information to help toward victory. Obviously such a collection of books would have to be selected with great care, that the library might be a portable one; and consequently the minute instructions as to its care are, as it were, a picture of his mind.
The signed document pictured above is the 1810 order to create such a travel library, signed by Napoleon and the three men who built it. It was not his first portable library, but, when complete, is the one he took with him during the Russian invasion of 1812.
To prepare for that invasion, Napoleon also had produced a remarkable, 14-page manuscript that gives directions to a prospective invading army, listing populations, topography, opportunities for provisioning, and bridges to cross in Russia, for one of the most famous military campaigns in recorded history.
These original, unpublished notes were used to plan and guide Napoleon and his army. They were kept by Napoleon’s Senior Aide de Camp Georges Mouton, in whose family they remained until now.
Collecting Napoleon Signed Documents
Napoleon’s signed letters and documents have always been collectible and are even more desirable following the 2023 film, Napoleon. To learn more about buying or selling Napoleon autographs, visit our dedicated Napoleon page and read our recent related stories:
