Lot 296

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Description:

Emperor Napoleon III's Hair Collected the Day after his Death in English Exile, with Incredible Provenance!

A lock of hair, approximately 10-20 strands, belonging to French Emperor Napoleon III (1808-1873), framed alongside two pieces of contemporary provenance information. The ebonized frame is double-sided, permitting an unobstructed view of both sides of the paperwork. Not examined out of the frame. Fitted for hanging. Overall measuring 5.375" x 10.75" x .625."

Napoleon III died at Chislehurst in Kent, England on January 9, 1873 at the age of sixty-four. As we shall learn, this lock of hair was collected on January 10, 1873 by order of Napoleon III's widow, Empress Eugénie de Montijo (1826-1920).

The framed display includes:

1. Hair. The hair strands are light blond and rest together in a c-shaped curl measuring approximately 3.5" in length, tied with a pale blue ribbon. Displayed in the upper left corner of the handwritten letter, and below a handwritten card.

2. A 2pp autograph letter signed by Jean-Joseph-Xavier-Alfred de Morton, Comte de la Chapelle (1830-1914), signed by him as "A. de la Chapelle" at the bottom of the second page. Written in West London on September 20, 1874, nearly two years after the Emperor's death. The letter is written on stationery with "8, Howley Place, / Maida Hill West" letterhead. Expected wear including paper wrinkles and minor horizontal splits. Some ink bleed-through but completely legible. Else near fine. Sight size of the letter: 4.25" x 6.875."

The Comte de la Chapelle was Emperor Napoleon III's close personal friend, business associate, publicist, collaborator, and fundraiser beginning after the latter's exile to England in 1871. He was a staunch defender of Napoleon III, perhaps even as an apologist.

The Comte de la Chapelle addressed the following letter to James McHenry (1817-1892), an Irish-born American businessman and railroad investor. McHenry had gifted £10,000 to Napoleon III and encouraged others to follow suit, welcoming the ex-imperial family to his home at Oak Lodge.

Comte de la Chapelle wrote in part:

"I enclose some of the Emperor's hair which I have been unable to have properly arranged and thinking after all you might better have it done yourself. The quantity is very small but even the Empress has very little of it and there are only nine persons who have some in lockets like you and I…

The Prince and Empress will be here on Tuesday night. Would you like to see them during the week?

I remain my dear
Mr McHenry
Yours affectionately
A. de la Chapelle."

3. A handwritten card is mounted at top, reading, with unchanged spelling and punctuation: "Some of the Hair from the Emperor Napoleon III. Cut and taken the day after his Majesty death - by his first valet de chambre Goutelard by order of the Empress."

Napoleon's first valet de chambre Pierre Goutelard actually shared his duty with another manservant named Jacques Muller; the two would alternate in assisting Napoleon III. Goutelard was appointed Napoleon III's "valet de chambre de jour" in February 1857 and faithfully served him until the Emperor's death in January 1873. French historian Xavier Mauduit tells us that Goutelard and Muller dressed Napoleon III's corpse; a lock of hair could have been easily obtained at this time. For more information, see Xavier Mauduit,"Le Ministère du Faste: La Maison de l'Empereur Napoléon III" (2016). [Translated title: "Splendid Ministry: The House of Emperor Napoleon III."]

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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