Scarce and impressive partially printed DS, in French, signed “Napoleon,” one page on vellum, 20.5 x 15.75, December 19, 1809. A certificate naming Louis Joseph Nompart de Caumont to the Legion of Honor and appointing him as a member of the Electoral College and as Commandant of the Honor Guard of the District of Montauban. The document goes on to specify the elements of the armorial device Nompart is now authorized to bear, a hand-painted version of which appears at upper left: a red-bordered shield featuring three gold lions against an azure background, topped by the Legion’s five-armed star. Though France’s system of orders was abolished during the Revolution, Napoleon instituted a similar, “non-chivalrous” system of honors to reward both civilians and soldiers for outstanding service to France. The Legion of Honor, established in 1802, not only admitted members to an exclusive brotherhood, but also provided generous annuities ranging from 250 to 5,000 francs; the present document specifies a stipend of “at least 3,000 francs.” In the year of signing, then-emperor Napoleon returned to the battlefield to lead the French forces in the war against Austria, during which he would achieve his final military victory as commander. On December 15, four days before making this appointment, he divorced his fabled lover-turned-wife Josephine, who had failed to produce a male heir. In very good condition, with light allover soiling, scattered losses to blue background of painted armorial device, and loss to blank portion of document at lower left. The signature is dark and clear, and the unusual presence of this item offers outstanding display potential. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
