Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 14035 - Postal History, Autographs and Historical Documents
Lot: 3103

Historical Documents
Napoleon Bonaparte
1797 (17 July) folio letter with elaborate engraved letter heads of the "République Française" and "Bonaparte Général en Chef de L'Armée d'Italie", the letter is addressed to, "Au général de Division Clarke" and finishes, "Je vous embrasse" and signed "Bonaparte". The paper is heavily laid with the paper maker's watermark "C&I Honic", 9¼x14¼ inch; very fresh and fine. Photo

Napoleon was general of the Army of Italy from 27 March 1796 to 16 November 1797: He quickly won the admiration of the Generals and turned a rag-bad army into an effective fighting force.

General Henry Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818)
The son of a former French army officer, he followed his father's footsteps by joining the military. In 1792 Clarke was named a lieutenant colonel in the 2nd Cavalry and he served with the Army of the Rhine, distinguishing himself at the action of Spire. Clarke continued to serve with the cavalry, covering the retreat on Worms in March of 1793 and then fighting at Ercheim. In May of 1793 he was promoted to général de brigade and then the next month he was appointed chief of staff to the Army of the Rhine. Clarke's position would not last long though, for that October he was suspended, arrested, and then thrown in prison.
General Clarke was released in February of 1795, however he remained without a job until that November when Carnot used his influence to get Clarke a job in the Topography Bureau. The next month Clarke was promoted to général de division. In November of 1796 Clarke was sent to the Army of Italy to spy discretely on General Bonaparte for the Directory, but after spending time with Bonaparte, Clarke became entirely devoted to him. The next year Clarke was recalled by the Directory and then in 1798 he negotiated a treaty with Sardinia.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,000