Dec 6, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
579
Two documents signed by Napoleon
Estate / Collection: The Estate of Margot Gibis
BONAPARTE, NAPOLEON
Brevet appointment on vellum for General Claude Jacques Lecourbe. Partly printed document on vellum with an engraved headpiece, secretarially accomplished in brown ink, signed by Napoleon at the foot (as "Bonaparte") dated in the Republican calendar trente Fructidor l'an onze, i.e. 17th September 1803. 17 x 14 1/4 inches (45.5 x 36 cm); appointing Lecourbe to the post of Géneral de Division effective dix sept Pluviose an Sept (i.e. February 6 1799), countersigned at foot by Louis-Alexandre Berthier (Minster of War) and Hugues-Bernard Maret (Minister of State), with the wafer seal. Some fading, soiling, the document laid-down to card, framed; together with Brevet appointment (to General) on vellum of Lieutenant Pierre Joseph Joly. Partly printed document on vellum with an engraved headpiece, secretarially accomplished in brown ink, signed by Napoleon at the foot (as "Bonaparte") dated in the Republican calendar vingt-cinq Ventose l'an douze i.e. 16th March 1804. 13 x 9 inches (33. x 23 cm); countersigned at foot by Louis-Alexandre Berthier (Minster of War) and Hugues-Bernard Maret (Minister of State), with the wafer seal. Somewhat faded, usual folds; and an 1802 document on paper, part-printed signed by Jean-Étienne-Marie Portalis. Browned. Framed.
The first document here is significant, given General Claude Lecourbe's prominence during the Napoleonic wars. He had already had a brilliant career (outlined briefly in the document), but his vocal support of General Jean-Victoir Moreau led to his forced retirement in 1805. He served Napoleon again with the Army of the Jura during the Hundred Days, heroically holding the city of Belfort for a fortnight against a far larger force.
Sold for $1,536
Estimated at $1,500 - $2,500
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Estate of Margot Gibis
BONAPARTE, NAPOLEON
Brevet appointment on vellum for General Claude Jacques Lecourbe. Partly printed document on vellum with an engraved headpiece, secretarially accomplished in brown ink, signed by Napoleon at the foot (as "Bonaparte") dated in the Republican calendar trente Fructidor l'an onze, i.e. 17th September 1803. 17 x 14 1/4 inches (45.5 x 36 cm); appointing Lecourbe to the post of Géneral de Division effective dix sept Pluviose an Sept (i.e. February 6 1799), countersigned at foot by Louis-Alexandre Berthier (Minster of War) and Hugues-Bernard Maret (Minister of State), with the wafer seal. Some fading, soiling, the document laid-down to card, framed; together with Brevet appointment (to General) on vellum of Lieutenant Pierre Joseph Joly. Partly printed document on vellum with an engraved headpiece, secretarially accomplished in brown ink, signed by Napoleon at the foot (as "Bonaparte") dated in the Republican calendar vingt-cinq Ventose l'an douze i.e. 16th March 1804. 13 x 9 inches (33. x 23 cm); countersigned at foot by Louis-Alexandre Berthier (Minster of War) and Hugues-Bernard Maret (Minister of State), with the wafer seal. Somewhat faded, usual folds; and an 1802 document on paper, part-printed signed by Jean-Étienne-Marie Portalis. Browned. Framed.
The first document here is significant, given General Claude Lecourbe's prominence during the Napoleonic wars. He had already had a brilliant career (outlined briefly in the document), but his vocal support of General Jean-Victoir Moreau led to his forced retirement in 1805. He served Napoleon again with the Army of the Jura during the Hundred Days, heroically holding the city of Belfort for a fortnight against a far larger force.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Dec 6, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on December 6, 2024
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Books, Autographs & Maps
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a successful auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps onDecember 6, 2024 showcased is a wonderful diversity of Americana, maps, autographs, early books and landmarks of literature and science.
Highlighting the sale was the first edition of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus from 1670 that soared to $70,350. Spinoza’s Tractatus is his only work published during his lifetime and remains his most significant. It presents a clear theory of natural right, asserting that the love of God leads to love for others. The state exists to ensure liberty, not oppression, with justice, wisdom, and toleration as key. Influential to thinkers like Blake and Goethe, it shaped Romanticism.
The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection offered the largest trove of unpublished Raymond Chandler stories, poetry, letters, books and personal artifacts to come to market. Best known for his Philip Marlowe detective novels including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and as screenwriter of film noir classics such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946), Raymond Chandler is considered one of the top writers in the hardboiled fiction genre alongside Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. Held for decades, the archive belonged to Jean Fracasse [later Vounder-Davis] who was first hired in January 1957 as Chandler's personal secretary but quickly became his close friend, confidant, fiancé and muse to whom he dedicated his last book.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
