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Auction: 21066 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 254

(x) France
Napoleon Bonaparte
1808 (18 Dec.) official document to Marshal Bessières from Chamartin, near Madrid, written and signed "Np" on reverse autograph note from Pietro Assalini, first surgeon of the Viceroy of Italy Eugène de Beauharnais. Assalini writes that "When after 14 years of service in the army of Your Majesty I was appointed first surgeon of the King of Italy, I did not expect to lose the place of major surgeon to the Mounted Hunters of the Imperial Guard", going on to request that he be attached to the Imperial Guard ambulance as an assistant.
Napoleon appears to have returned the document to Bessiéres writing "It seems to me that this officer left the Guard voluntarily. So I don't see what he's asking for.". Signed "NP"

Notes: "Pietro Assalini had served in the French army in the first campaign in Italy and that of Egypt, notably in Jaffa where he connected with Eugène de Beauharnais. Eugène, who had become viceroy of Italy, made him his first surgeon and the director of two successive hospitals. Later in 1814, Assalini served in the campaigns in Russia, Germany and 1814. He invented several surgical instruments and published medical works."

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£650