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OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

40 - [EMPIRE] BERTHIER, Louis Alexandre (1753–1815), Marshal of t…
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Estimate €200 - €300
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Description
[EMPIRE] BERTHIER, Louis Alexandre (1753–1815), Marshal of the First Empire. Upon the establishment of the Empire in 1804, Napoleon showered him with honours and titles: Marshal, Grand Venor, Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour, Major-General of the Grande Armée, Prince of Neufchâtel and Vallengin in March 1806, Vice-Constable… Prince of Wagram in August 1809, Signed autograph letter addressed to Mr Coulmann, Second Lieutenant in the 21st Dragoons. Posen, 15 December 1806. 1 pp. (2ff.) In-4° on watermarked paper: ‘I wish to inform you, Sir, that it is the Emperor’s intention that you should serve during this campaign on the General Staff of the Cavalry Reserve, in the capacity of Second Lieutenant of the Order. You are therefore to report to H.S.H. the Grand Duke of Berg [Joachim Murat, Grand Duke of Berg, from 25 December 1805 to 1 August 1808], to receive his orders. The Minister of War, Prince of Neufchâtel. Signed ‘A. Berthier’. 1 folio page (dim: 20.5 x 31 cm); fine copy. Enclosed: Contemporary copies of two letters from the Minister of War, Alexandre Berthier, addressed to Citizen Jeannin, battalion commander in the 74½th Line Brigade. 2 pages (2ff.), on watermarked paper: 1- Paris, 21 Thermidor, Year 9: ‘…I wish to inform you, Citizen, that the government, satisfied with the services you have rendered to the army and wishing to provide you with a post of retirement where you may still be of use to the Republic, despite your injuries, has appointed you Commander of the Garrison at Flessingue, this garrison forming part of the Batavian Republic. There you shall receive the active service pay corresponding to your rank. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Batavia is instructed to issue the necessary orders to ensure that you are received and recognised in this capacity by the troops garrisoned at this stronghold. This letter shall serve as your letter of appointment; you are requested, Citizen, to acknowledge receipt thereof and to take up your post. I salute you. Signed Alex. Berthier’. 2- Paris, 11 Pluviôse, Year 10: ‘…I have received, Citizen, your letter of 12 Nivôse concerning the constant hindrances to the exercise of your command caused by the Batavian civil authority established in Vlissingen. I fully endorse the firmness and resistance you have shown thus far in the face of the frequent attempts made by that authority to undermine or encroach upon the authority entrusted to you. Whatever pretexts they may invoke, the occupation of Vlissingen by a French commander and garrison, as stipulated by the treaties, necessarily entails the exercise of all the rights attached to the command of a military garrison town, and you are authorised to exercise to the full all those rights conferred upon you by military regulations, whether in respect of internal policing or the external security of the stronghold. You are to continue to show the firmness you have displayed thus far; this is entirely in keeping with the government’s intentions, and must be the unchanging rule of your conduct. Yours faithfully. Signed Alex. Berthier’. Dimensions: 19.5 x 31 cm. Fine examples. Appraisal carried out by Pascal GUILLEBAUD. Lot from a voluntary sale.
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About the sale Manuscripts, Philately and Bibliophilia
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Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/18/2026 at 5:08 PM
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