Historic LS in French, signed “Napole,” one page, 8 x 9.75, October 29, 1808. Letter addressed to "Monsieur mon Frere le Roi des Espagnes et des Indes," his brother Joseph, expressing congratulations "on the occasion of his accession to the throne of Spain and the Indies." Addressed on the integral leaf in another hand, and retains its original red wax seal with green silk ribbon. In very good to fine condition, with light creasing to the right side, and a somewhat rough bottom edge; large and bold, Napoleon's signature is an ideal example.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte made his older brother, Joseph, King of Naples (1806–1808), and then King of Spain and the Indies (1808–1813). Though popular in Naples, Joseph was met with heavy opposition in Spain: his arrival sparked a massive Spanish revolt against French rule and marked the beginning of the Peninsular War. Despite efforts to win popularity, Joseph would never be accepted as legitimate by the bulk of the Spanish people. After France's defeat by a British-led coalition at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, Joseph abdicated the Spanish throne and returned to France.
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