Napoleon I, Manuscript Document Signed ("Napoleon") as Emperor, one page, 9½ x 8 inches, Paris, Oct. 29, 1808. To his elder brother Joseph (1768-1844), congratulating him on his accession to the Spanish throne (1808-13). "Sir my Brother, I received with sensitivity the letter that Your Majesty wrote me on the occasion of your accession to the Throne of Spain and the Indes. The friendly feelings that it shows toward me greatly touched me and you must be persuaded that I sincerely share the wishes that it expresses that the bonds that join us be unbreakable. I will apply myself to constantly maintaining them and to tightening them and my most attentive care will be to give on every occasion to Your Majesty definitive witness that I will not cease to care for your personal prosperity. and for the glory of your Reign. I seize with eagerness this occasion to renew to Your Majesty the assurances of perfect attachment and of the tender friendship that I will always maintain for you and with which I am Sir my Brother, From Your Majesty the good Brother Napoleon."
A lovely double seal is affixed to the integral address leaf. Some creasing to right margin of letter; lower edge is ragged, affecting nothing. Napoleon's signature is extremely bold and signed in full. Napoleon had made Joseph King of Sicily and Naples in 1806. In 1808, he put Joseph on the Spanish throne, just as the Peninsular War broke out. Joseph's hold on power was always tenuous; everyone knew who the real power behind the throne was. Joseph's one real contribution was ending the Inquisition. With Napoleon's defeat, Joseph went into exile in the United States (1817-32), and his home in New Jersey became a center for expatriot intellectuals. He died in Florence, Italy and was buried in Les Invalides.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP
Royalty & Foreign Leaders
