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Princeton University Library Collection of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, Materials

Notifications

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

The collection consists of selected letters and documents of Napoleon Bonaparte, first Emperor of the French, as well as couple of items relating to Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, Herzog von Reichstadt, 1811-1832 (Napoleon II), and Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873. Some materials are accompanied by typed transcriptions and English translations.

Folders are arranged in accession number order.

The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.

"Liste des Aides de Camp" was a gift of Chas. A. D. Burk in 1909.

"Minutes au Major General", letter to the minister of Interior, and letter to Ronat were a gift of Francis F. Rosenbaum, Princeton Class of 1920, and Friend of the Library, in Feb. 1941.

Document relating to citizen Lefebvre was a gift of Cyrus H. McCormick, in March 1947.

Dissolution of marriage document was a gift of Mrs. David A. Reed, in Feb. 1955.

Lock of Napoleon's hair, etc., was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Moore, Princeton Class of 1926, on August 1974.

Letter of Napoleon III, was a gift of William H. Morris, Princeton Class of 1932, on April 1976.

Engraving of Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, King of Rome (Napoleon II), was a gift of Charles Ruas, 2015. (AM 2016-13)

Portrait engravings of Napoleon Bonaparte were gifts of Charles Ruas, 2015. (AM 2016-20)

This collection was processed by Dina Britain on August 22, 2006. Finding aid written by Dina Britain on August 22, 2006. Folder inventory added by James Clark '14 in 2012.

Finding aid updated by Faith Charlton in August 2015.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Faith Charlton
Finding Aid Date
2006
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Department of War Document of Jean Baptiste Cholozé, Paris, circa 1804. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

D.s.; photostat

Physical Description

1 folder

Liste des Aides de Camp, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A.N.s.; includes two lines in Napoleon's hand

Physical Description

1 folder

Bertrand, Henri-Gratien, comte, 1773-1844, "Minutes au Major General", 1808 September 6. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A.L.s.; postscript is in the hand of Napoleon

Includes typed transcription and translation.

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter to the Minister of the Interior, Written When Napoleon was First Consul, circa 1797 October 27. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A.L.s.; includes typed transcription and translation

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter to Captain Ronat of the 51st Demi Brigade, circa 1796 August 1. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A.L.s.; includes typed transcription and translation

Orders Ronat to stay, refusing his resignation.

Physical Description

1 folder

Certificate Confirming Citizen E. Nicolas Lefebvre as Notary at Auxerre, 1803. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

D.s.

Signed "Bonaparte" as First Consul and "Régnier" as Minister of Justice.

Physical Description

1 folder

Dissolution of Marriage to Josephine de Beauharnais, 1808. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

D.s.

Physical Description

1 folder

Lock of Napoleon's Hair, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Also includes a piece of the pall that covered Napoleon's coffin taken off at St. Helena.

The lock of hair is presented "Pour L'aimable Madlle. Emilie," signed by Francesco Antommarchi, and dated Jan. 13, 1837.

Physical Description

1 folder

Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, Letter to Monsieur LeMarie, 1840 December 11. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A.L.s.

Asking for a power of attorney to be made out for him.

Physical Description

1 folder

Desnoyers, Auguste-Gaspard-Louis, 1779-1857. Bonaparte, François-Charles-Joseph, Herzog von Reichstadt, 1811-1832, Child Portrait, 1813. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

The infant seen half-length, supported by a cushion, wearing a sash and pressing a sceptre against his chest; oval composition

Lettered with producers' names: 'F. Gérard Pinxit - A. Desnoyers Sculp.t', title, and dedication to Marie Louise.

Physical Description

1 folder

Appiani, Andrea, 1754-1817. Bonaparte First Consul. Portrait, circa 1792-1793. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Inscribed Title: Bonaparte 1er consul; portrait bust of Napoleon, face turned towards the right.

Inscription: Appiani Pinxt; Moret Sculpsit; A Paris chez Drouhin, Rue du Vaugirard, N°1348, en face du Jardin des Carmes.

Physical Description

1 folder

Boilly, Louis, 1761-1845. Bonaparte, Premier Consul de la Republique Française--Revue du Quintidi Portrait, circa 1792-1793. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Print shows Napoleon Bonaparte, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left, in medallion above scene depicting troop review.

Inscription reads: Boilly pinxit; Levachez sculpt; Duplessis Bertaux aquaforti; Paris : Chez Aubert, editeur Rue St. Lazare Chausseé d'Antin; Déposé à la Bibliotheque Nle. le 29 Thermidor An X.

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest