Napoleon I

A document, signed “Napoleon,” diplomatic credentials appointing the French Consul on the Barbary Coast, dated 30 May 1815; countersigned by Caulincourt, duc de Vicence.

• Signed by Napoleon I.
• Paris: Château Imperial des Tuileries: 1815.
• Oblong folio.
• Ink on vellum.
• This work is presented unframed.

Two days before the public ceremonies at the Champs de Mars, the Emperor issues credentials for M. Mure to take up the post of consul general and chargé d’affaires at Tripoli on the Barbary Coast (modern-day Libya). This was one of the last diplomatic appointments signed by Napoleon during the Hundred Days when Napoleon returned to power from exile Elba Island. Two weeks later he had rejoined the army en route to the fateful battle at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. Napoleon abdicated four days later.

A excellent bold signature of the French Emperor just before the change in his fortunes.