LS in French, signed “Bonaparte,” 6.5 x 8.5, “Le 29 Brumaire au 7 Rep.” [November 19, 1798]. A letter on a military personnel matter. The twenty-nine-year-old Napoleon led an expedition of some 34,000 troops into Egypt in July 1798 and routed the native Mamelukes in a single day. Within days, however, the French troops were dealt a crippling blow from the British at the Battle of the Nile, where all but two of the French ships were sunk or captured and 1,700 soldiers were killed. In the following year, Napoleon returned to France to launch the coup d’etat that would make him First Consul—and eventually, Emperor—of France. In fine condition, with slightly irregular left edge from binding removal (easily matted out), faint scattered foxing, wax seal stain to blank portion, and feathering to paraph of the bold, dark signature. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
