22nd Jan, 2026 11:00
Autograph Letters, Historical Documents and Manuscripts - Timed Auction
780
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821)
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of the French 1804-14, 1815. L.S., `Nap´, a bold ink signature, one page, gilt edges, 4to, at the Palace of Saint Cloud, 30th June 1810, to the Duc de Feltre, in French. The handwritten document is a letter dictated by Napoleon, addressed to his Minister of war, and relates to the besieges of the Spanish cities in Catalogne, Tortosa and Tarragone, including specific orders to his Marshals. Napoleon Bonaparte states in part `Monsieur le duc de Feltre, la prise de Mequinenza facilite beaucoup celle de Tortosa, puisque l´Ebre fournit naturellement le moyen de transporter l´équipage de siège; mais il est indispensable que le duc de Tarente fasse le siège de Tarragone pendant que le général Suchet fera celui de Tortosa. Envoyez un officier près du Duc de Tarente pour savoir ce qu´il faut...´ (Translation: "Monsieur the Duke de Feltre, the capture of Mequinenza greatly facilitates that of Tortosa, since the Ebro river naturally provides the means of transporting the siege crew; but it is essential that the Duke of Taranto makes the siege to Tarragona while General Suchet takes in cahrge the siege to Tortosa. Send an officer to meet the Duke of Taranto in order to know what is needed..." Further, Napoleon sends military orders and clearly explains that he wishes to be informed about anything related to the French armies in Catalogne, saying `Voici la saison où la cavalerie peut vivre partout. Je désire connaitre positivement la situation des choses à cette armée. Il faut qu´elle entre en communication avec l´armée d´Aragon. Le duc de Tarente pourra laisser plus de troupes sur ses derrières pour assurer ses communications avec la France...´ (Translation: "This is the season when the cavalry can live anywhere. I wish to know positively the situation of things in this army. It must enter into communication with the army of Aragon. The Duke of Taranto will be able to leave more troops behind him to ensure his communications with France...") Further again, and to a postscriptum, dated in Rambouillet, 10th July 1810, Napoleon orders to swipe all harvests, stating `Le temps de la récolte est arrivé; si le duc de Tarente reste inactif, l´ennemi la coupera et la renfermera dans ses places fortes. C´est le moment d´approvisionner Barcelone, en fauchant tout autour´ (Translation: "The harvest time has come; if the Duke of Taranto remains inactive, the enemy will collect it and confine it to its strongholds. It is time to supply Barcelona, mowing down everything around") Accompanied by the original small manuscript acknowledgement of receipt. Paper with watermark. VG
Etienne Jacques Macdonald (1765-1840) Marshal of France. Duc de Tarante.
Louis Gabriel Suchet (1770-1826) Marshal of France. Duc d´Albufera. One of the most brilliant of Napoleon´s Generals. Suchet was appointed commander of the Army of Aragon mentioned in the present letter by Napoleon, and Governor of that region. Within two years, he brought the area into complete submission by wise and skillful administration no less than by his valor. In April 1810, he defeated O´Donnell at the Siege of Lerida, then laid siege to Mequinenza in May, as reported on the present letter. Suchet would capture Tortosa on 2nd January 1811, and for his successful Siege of Tarragona from May to June 1811, Suchet was made a Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon on 8 July 1811.
€3,500 - €4,500
Buyer's premium: 25%
Condition Report
The condition is given at the end of each lot description, noting any faults, and providing a grading as to our opinion of the overall condition.
If you require more specific information, please submit a request using the button below.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of the French 1804-14, 1815. L.S., `Nap´, a bold ink signature, one page, gilt edges, 4to, at the Palace of Saint Cloud, 30th June 1810, to the Duc de Feltre, in French. The handwritten document is a letter dictated by Napoleon, addressed to his Minister of war, and relates to the besieges of the Spanish cities in Catalogne, Tortosa and Tarragone, including specific orders to his Marshals. Napoleon Bonaparte states in part `Monsieur le duc de Feltre, la prise de Mequinenza facilite beaucoup celle de Tortosa, puisque l´Ebre fournit naturellement le moyen de transporter l´équipage de siège; mais il est indispensable que le duc de Tarente fasse le siège de Tarragone pendant que le général Suchet fera celui de Tortosa. Envoyez un officier près du Duc de Tarente pour savoir ce qu´il faut...´ (Translation: "Monsieur the Duke de Feltre, the capture of Mequinenza greatly facilitates that of Tortosa, since the Ebro river naturally provides the means of transporting the siege crew; but it is essential that the Duke of Taranto makes the siege to Tarragona while General Suchet takes in cahrge the siege to Tortosa. Send an officer to meet the Duke of Taranto in order to know what is needed..." Further, Napoleon sends military orders and clearly explains that he wishes to be informed about anything related to the French armies in Catalogne, saying `Voici la saison où la cavalerie peut vivre partout. Je désire connaitre positivement la situation des choses à cette armée. Il faut qu´elle entre en communication avec l´armée d´Aragon. Le duc de Tarente pourra laisser plus de troupes sur ses derrières pour assurer ses communications avec la France...´ (Translation: "This is the season when the cavalry can live anywhere. I wish to know positively the situation of things in this army. It must enter into communication with the army of Aragon. The Duke of Taranto will be able to leave more troops behind him to ensure his communications with France...") Further again, and to a postscriptum, dated in Rambouillet, 10th July 1810, Napoleon orders to swipe all harvests, stating `Le temps de la récolte est arrivé; si le duc de Tarente reste inactif, l´ennemi la coupera et la renfermera dans ses places fortes. C´est le moment d´approvisionner Barcelone, en fauchant tout autour´ (Translation: "The harvest time has come; if the Duke of Taranto remains inactive, the enemy will collect it and confine it to its strongholds. It is time to supply Barcelona, mowing down everything around") Accompanied by the original small manuscript acknowledgement of receipt. Paper with watermark. VG
Etienne Jacques Macdonald (1765-1840) Marshal of France. Duc de Tarante.
Louis Gabriel Suchet (1770-1826) Marshal of France. Duc d´Albufera. One of the most brilliant of Napoleon´s Generals. Suchet was appointed commander of the Army of Aragon mentioned in the present letter by Napoleon, and Governor of that region. Within two years, he brought the area into complete submission by wise and skillful administration no less than by his valor. In April 1810, he defeated O´Donnell at the Siege of Lerida, then laid siege to Mequinenza in May, as reported on the present letter. Suchet would capture Tortosa on 2nd January 1811, and for his successful Siege of Tarragona from May to June 1811, Suchet was made a Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon on 8 July 1811.
By far the most popular way to participate in our auctions is to bid live via our website on the day. If you are bidding online with IAA Europe for the first time you will need to create an account, which is a very easy and straightforward process. Once you have an account you will simply be required to register to bid in each sale. On the day you will have access to a live audio and visual stream so that you can follow the excitement of the auction as it happens and submit bids in real time.
There are also several simple ways that you can bid at our auctions without being online. The most traditional method is to submit a commission (or absentee) bid. This can be done through your personal IAA Europe account, or by contacting us directly via email or telephone to submit the information.
It is also possible to bid ‘live’ on the telephone during our auctions. However, there are a limited number of telephone lines available to us and telephone bids will only be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept telephone bids for lots with a minimum estimate of less than 400€. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate the concession of telephone bidding, please be advised that IAA Europe S.L. are unable to accept any liability, howsoever caused in connection with telephone bidding. Please note that any lots purchased through telephone bidding will be subject to an additional 3% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price.
Auction: Autograph Letters, Historical Documents and Manuscripts - Timed Auction, 22nd Jan, 2026
