LS in French, signed “Bonaparte,” one page, 7.75 x 12.25, Republique Francaise letterhead, Cairo, Egypt, July 12, 1799. Letter to General Desaix. In full (translated): “I received your letter of the 18th. Murad Bey passed by yesterday in the direction of the pyramids of Sanara. He was to the right of Lake Nahon where General Murat had arrived on the morning of the 22nd. Junot left from Gizah to try to find his tracks. General d’Estaing led the search to the hills of the desert between Mariout and Lake Nahon. I do not need to reiterate to you the demand on our cavalry. The last news that I have of General Friant is of the 21st. He was still at the heights of Behnese.” Ornately cloth-matted and framed with two descriptive plaques and a portrait to an overall size of 31 x 24. Intersecting folds (two vertical folds passing through single letters of the signature), and some slight show-through from docketing to reverse, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Frederic Castaing. Napoleon had engaged Bey’s cavalry at the Battle of the Pyramids almost exactly one year earlier, defeating the Egyptian forces in decisive fashion, though Bey himself escaped. It was while pursuing Murad Bey into Upper Egypt that the French discovered the ancient monuments and ruins at Dendera, Thebes, Edfu, and Philae. One of the most interesting Napoleon letters we have encountered. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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