LS in French, signed with his rare full signature, “Napoleon,” one page, 7 x 8.5, no date. Letter to Archchancellor [Cambacérès]. Translated in full: “My Cousin [a term of endearment to a close friend rather than a relative], I very much feel that everything relating to reduction of the court fees, to the establishment of new rights on the Tribunal of Cassation, to rights concerning diligences [stage coaches] and public carriages can only be effected by one law, but first collect all the material” to which Napoleon has added in his own hand “and present me with the projects.” Double matted and framed with a color portrait of Napoleon, to an overall size of 20.75 x 15.25 In fine condition, with bisecting folds, and a bit of scattered mild toning.
The Tribunal of Cassation was established in 1790, so named because it possessed the power to quash (casser) the decrees of inferior courts. It exists today as the highest court in France. In 1800, Second Consul Jean-Jacques Regis of Cambacérès (1753-1824) presented to First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte three “projects” which ultimately, on March 21, 1804, at Cambacérès’ suggestion, became one law, the Civil or Napoleonic Code. At the proclamation of the Empire, May 18, 1804, Second Consul Cambacérès became Archchancellor of the Empire and First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor Napoleon.
Autograph pioneer Charles Hamilton, in his Collecting Autographs and Manuscripts, illustrates a full “Napoleon” signature similar to the one on this letter, identifying it as having been signed in 1804. He also comments that “his signature expressed itself in many variants, of which the scarcest is the full ‘Napoleon,’ reserved for important documents or letters to sovereigns. Letters to his marshals and generals were most often signed ‘Np,’ ‘Nap,’ or ‘Napol.’” Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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