Lot 176
Josephine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) Born Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie; first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and first Empress of the French; even after Napoleon divorced her in 1810 to marry Marie Louise of Austria in order to have an heir, he insisted that Josephine keep the title of Empress, which she did until her death. Autograph letter signed ("Lapagerie Bonaparte"), 1 page, in French, 4 x 6½ in. (Paris), 4 floréal an 7 (23 April 1799). Written during the French Revolution to Citizen Dupin, Commissioner of the Executive Power.
In full: "I ask you Citizen, to take note of my recommendation concerning René Louis François Menou; I've known the family for many years; ever since childhood his vision has been so impaired, as attested by all members of the medical profession, that it is impossible for him to make out objects even at a short distance; the role of the family in the service of the fatherland is by no means equivocal. His uncle GENERAL MENOU IS IN EGYPT and couldn't take him with him because of his infirmity; the youngest brother Citizen Menou has just enlisted voluntarily."
After Kléber's assassination, General Jacques-François de Menou, Baron of Boussay, later Abdallah de Menou (1750-1810) succeeded him as Commander of the Army of Egypt. He married a Muslim woman and converted to Islam. Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,500
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