Description:

Napoleon Bonaparte's Nephew "Prince Napoleon" - 4 ALSs & 1 LS With Bonus Autographs

A small group of French-language correspondence comprised of four autograph letters signed and one letter signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte (1822-1891), the nephew of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Prince Napoléon, or Plon-Plon, as he was familiarly known, was the second son of Napoleon's youngest brother Jérôme Bonaparte (1784-1860), the latter who had served as King of Westphalia between 1807-1813. The letters, three of five undated, and the rest ca. 1867-1877, are on examples of custom stationery. Expected wear including minor toning, flattened paper folds, and a former collector's scattered pencil inscriptions, else near fine. The largest piece adhered to a mount measures 6.875" x 9." With two bonus autographs by French diplomat Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys (1805-1881), and Scottish intellectual John Stuart Blackie (1809-1895)!

The lot consists of:

1. A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte as "Napoléon" near bottom center. N.d., n.p. except "Friday, 27, 7 am." On laid bifold stationery with an elaborate "N" embossed monogram in the upper left corner. Minor ink ghost impressions, else near fine. 5.25" x 8.25." Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte addressed this letter to an unidentified female correspondent, explaining that had been unable to bid her a proper farewell because he was inundated by "a considerable backlog of work," and asking that she visit him the following afternoon.

2. A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte as "Napoléon Bonaparte" near center bottom. N.d., n.p. except "Wednesday, 2 pm." On a single sheet of "Bath" stationery. A former collector has identified the addressee as Hortense Cornu (1809-1875), the foster sister of Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte's cousin, French Emperor Napoléon III. Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte thanks his recipient for having connected him with an acquaintance, possibly a publisher. "A thousand apologies for not having visited in so long but I am…overwhelmed with visits and occupations." 5.375" x 8.375."

3. A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte as "Napoléon Bonaparte" near center. N.d., n.p. except "Thursday, 16." Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte tells an unidentified male correspondent that he met with "a friend of Blay" the day before yesterday.

4. A 2pp letter in French signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte at the conclusion as "Napoléon (Jérôme)." December 18, 1867. Paris, France. Secretarially inscribed on watermarked laid bifold stationery with a crowned "N" monogram embossed in the upper left corner.

Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte addressed this letter to Bertrand de Chabron (1806-1889), a French career military officer who had fought under him in Italy. Chabron would continue to serve in Algeria, as well as in the Crimea, before commanding a regional corps of French troops during the upcoming Franco-Prussian War.

In part:

"I remember with too much satisfaction the glorious colonel of the third [regiment of] Zouaves, who served under my orders in Italy, to not do all that is dependent on me to be useful to you. I unfortunately have very little influence but I will be very happy if I can contribute to obtaining for you what you desire…"

5. A partial autograph letter in French signed by Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte near bottom center as "Napoléon (Jérôme)." The page is mounted to a scrapbook album page annotated at top as: "Autograph Letter of Jerome Bonaparte presented to G.E. Midall by Mrs. Cosc. Jany. 14th, 1877." The page represents the back half of an itemized list of questions, military in nature, that Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte has requested answers to, before convening a future meeting.
Two bonus autographs can be found attached on the reverse page, one a 2pp autograph letter signed by French politician Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys; and a 1p autograph letter signed by Scottish scholar John Stuart Blackie (1809-1895).

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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September 6, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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