BOLDLY SIGNED BY NAPOLEON AS FIRST CONSUL

NAPOLEON. Manuscript document signed. Saint Cloud: 14 Vendemiaire an XII [October 7, 1803]. One leaf, 7 by 6-3/4 inches, on engraved letterhead, "Bonaparte 1er Consul de la Republique," mounted on laid paper. With engraved portrait. $4600.

Manuscript document from Napoleon as First Consul of the French Consulate to the Minister of War, Alexandre Berthier, boldly signed by Napoleon, "Bonaparte." On Napoleon's letterhead, with an engraved vignette by B. Roger that reads "Bonaparte 1er Consul de la Republique. Au nom du Peuple Français."

Napoleon was named "Premier Consul de la Republique," as he is referred to in this document, on December 12, 1799. Beginning with his coronation as Emperor on December 2, 1804, Napoleon began to sign his documents as "Napoleon," or more commonly, "Nap," or "Np," rather than using "Bonaparte," as in this document. The document reads, in a neat secretarial hand, "Au Ministre de la Guerre, Je vous prie, Citoyen Ministre, de donnez order a la 12e demibrigade d'infanterie légère qui arrive au ___ de se rendre a Angoulême. Vous me demanderez des orders pour cette demibrigade, trois jours avant qu'elle arrive à Angoulême. [signed] Bonaparte." [Roughly translated, "To the Minister of War: Please, Citizen Minister, give orders to the 12th demibrigade of light infantry that arrives at ___ to go to Angoulême. You will ask me for orders for this demibrigade three days before it arrives at Angouleme. Bonaparte."]. Text in French.

Offsetting from mounting has toned the document. Napoleon's "Bonaparte" signature bold.