Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

Sig Circa 1815-1838 n.p. File Foreign

Talleyrand was a member of the National Assembly during the French Revolution and he helped Napoleon found the First Empire.

Prince de Talleyrand Signature

Prince de Talleyrand Signature

Signature of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, Prince of Talleyrand (1754-1838) as "le pce de talleyrand" laid down on a paper sheet measuring 9.875" × 5.125." The signature is located above his partial wax seal, also laid down, and inscribed "Prince Talleyrand's Seal." Both the signature and seal are in near fine condition. The paper sheet is pencil inscribed with biographical information.

Talleyrand used his honorific the Prince of Talleyrand between 1815-1838; thus, we can conclude that this signature dates from that 23-year period. His coat of arms, as depicted in the mostly intact and clearly impressed red wax seal, is a crowned heraldic shield decorated with 3 lions rampants.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord was an ambitious, competent, and versatile French politician and diplomat. Over his 50-year career, Talleyrand served kings, revolutionary assemblies, self-appointed emperors, and constitutional monarchs with equal aplomb. His ability to survive through turbulent political periods, and seamlessly transition from serving administrations of completely opposite political values, made Talleyrand a legend during his lifetime. "Talleyrand" is now a byword meaning political astuteness.