Description:

De Lesseps Ferdinand

Ferdinand de Lesseps, Suez Canal Promoter and Legion of Honor Recipient

 

Large envelope from the Legion of Honor addressed in French to career diplomat Ferdinand Marie, Vicomte de Lesseps (1805-1894). Postmarked from Paris, France on January 11, 1860. The envelope is inscribed [translated]: "Monsieur Ferdinand de Lesseps, former envoy extraordinary & Minister plenipotentiary of France to Madrid. Officer of the Legion of Honor. Boulevard de la Madeleine 19, Paris." Stamped "Legion d'Honneur" at upper left. Bearing a handsome red wax seal verso embossed [translated]: "Legion of Honor, Honor and Fatherland." In good condition, with several closed tears. Measures 12.5" x 8.125". From the Collection of Norman Boas of Seaport Autographs and purchased at Christie's December 5, 2017 sale.

 

Ferdinand Marie, Vicomte de Lesseps (1805-1894) had already garnered two decades of diplomatic experience in Algeria, Egypt, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands by the time he was invited by Egyptian leader Said Pasha to build the Suez Canal in 1854. This route would eventually connect the Mediterranean and Red Seas, creating enormous trading possibilities. De Lesseps employed all his diplomatic finesse to encourage subscriptions for the Suez project, which was finally completed in 1869.

 

This Legion of Honor promotion was just de Lessep's latest, and it would not be his last. De Lesseps was first awarded the Legion of Honor in 1836 for his adept management as Consul General of Alexandria during the 1834-35 plague. He was awarded the next promotion for his exemplary conduct in the French consulate during the bombardment of Barcelona. He would achieve Grand Officer status in 1869.

 

Provenance: Ex-Christie's December 5, 2017 sale; Ex-Norman Boas, Seaport Autographs

 

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