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Auction: 326 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1329

Bernadotte, Jean-Baptiste (1763-1844). Prince of Ponte-Corvo, Marshal of France, later King of Sweden as Karl XIV Johan. Son of a lawyer in Pau, Bernadotte entered the army in 1780. His excellent military qualities brought him rapid promotion after the outbreak of the Revolution. He was made a Marshal of France in 1806, and in 1810, he was elected heir-presumptive of the childless King Karl XIII of Sweden, going on to found the House of Bernadotte, the dynasty that still rules Sweden today. Autograph Letter Signed J. Bernadotte as Commander of the Army of the West (that was to invade England but never did). One page, folio, dated Paris, Oct. 30, 1800. In it, Bernadotte addresses the Minister of War (Lacuée -- who became Minister per interim after Carnot's resignation on Oct. 8). Bernadotte calls the Minister's attention to the fact that it has not been decided whether three Army Lieutenants should be kept on the active list. He asks the Minister for them to stay with his Army, so that they can be employed as heads of divisions, if they so desire. They might even get priority over generals he previously named. Tiny, unobtrusive tear upper left with old tape backing. Fine. Accompanied by a 19th Century engraving of Bernadotte. [2]

Sold for
$275