Historic partly-printed DS in French, signed “Napoleon,” one page, 13.25 x 19.25, October 12, 1812. Official order concerning the application of a boycott against England, signed in Moscow at the height of Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia. Boldly signed at the bottom in ink by Napoleon Bonaparte and countersigned by four of his ministers. In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds.
French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's Grande Armée occupied Moscow from September 14-October 19, 1812, during the Napoleonic Wars—this marked the summit of the French invasion of Russia. Weakened by attrition warfare and want of provisions, Napoleon and his Grande Armée abandoned the Russian capital on October 19th—one week after signing the present order—and retreated south. More than half of the men died on the roadside of exhaustion, typhus, and the harsh continental climate. The massive loss in Russia shattered Napoleon's ambitions of European dominance and destroyed his reputation of invincibility.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$250.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
