Description:

De Lesseps Ferdinand

Ferdinand de Lesseps, Suez Canal promoter, archive relating to his 1866 Legion of Honor promotion



Small French language archive relating to 1866 Legion of Honor promotion of Ferdinand de Lesseps, including 3 partly printed and partly handwritten documents, with companion envelope. In very good to near fine condition, with expected light paper folds. Average size of signed documents is 8" x 12".

From the Collection of Norman Boas of Seaport Autographs and recently purchased at Christie's December 5, 2017 sale.

 

The 2pp DS on "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" letterhead dated March 22, 1866 announced de Lessep's promotion. Signed at top of second page. The document reads in part: " … the Emperor has deigned to elevate you to the rank of Commander of his Imperial order of the Legion of Honor." The promotion was at once "a sign of his Majesty's benevolence as well as the latest example of Government's investment in the opening of the Suez Canal."

 

The 1p DS on "Grand Chancellery of Imperial Order of the Legion of Honor" letterhead dated March 28, 1866 outlined a few formalities that de Lesseps had to complete to receive his designation. Signed at bottom of first page. This included submitting two types of paperwork, and paying a 40 franc processing fee! A few discolored spots but otherwise legible and beautifully inscribed. Accompanied by a large envelope measuring 8" x 9.5" addressed to Ferdinand de Lesseps, with expected weathering and a red wax seal verso.

 

The 1p DS on "Grand Chancellery of Imperial Order of the Legion of Honor" letterhead dated November 16, 1866 commanded the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor to attend the upcoming award ceremony for de Lesseps. Signed at bottom of first page.

 

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. He was first awarded the Legion of Honor in 1836 for his adept management as Consul General of Alexandria during the 1834-35 plague. De Lesseps 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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