ALS in French, signed “Napolione di Buonapart,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 6.25 x 7.75, November 25, 1785. One of the earliest known autograph letters of Napoleon Bonaparte, written to "l'abbé Amielh," school principal at the "séminaire d’Aix-en-Provence." In 1784, Napoleon was admitted to the École Militaire in Paris. He trained to become an artillery officer and, when his father's death in 1785 reduced his income, was forced to complete the two-year course in one year. He was the first Corsican to graduate from the École Militaire. At just sixteen years old, Napoleone di Buonaparte was appointed second lieutenant in the artillery regiment of La Fère barracks in Valence on September 1, 1785.
Young Napoleon thanks "l’abbé" for his consideration and points out: "I don’t understand how my dear parents could have been worried for a moment." He describes his situation, living in Paris with Louis-Charles-René de Marbeuf, then French governor of Corsica, linked to the Bonaparte. His brother, Napoleon continues, cannot be raised in Aix-en-Provence and therefore has to remain in Brienne. He continues that he had an order to join the regiment in Valence, where he had been for three weeks. He mentions his uncle, the cardinal Joseph Fesch, who fulfilled the role as protector of the Bonaparte family for some years. Napoleon points out that his semester doesn’t start until September, "for then, Sir, I will be happy to have the pleasure of getting to know a man for whom I already take the keenest interest"—l’abbé himself. Addressed on the reverse in Napoleon's own hand, and affixed by its edge to a larger sheet bound into a handsome full red leather presentation folder. In fine condition, with scattered light staining and soiling.
Napoleon would serve in Valence and Auxonne until after the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789. Under the leadership of peré Amielh, the Aix-en-Provence seminary welcomed young Corsicans. Napoleon's uncle, Joseph Fesch, the half-brother of Letizia Bonaparte and future Archbishop of Lyon and Grand Chaplain of the Empire, studied there from 1781 to 1786. He also intended for Napoleon's brother Lucien to study there. A remarkable letter by the young Napoleon, boasting a rare variation of his signature.
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