The marriage contract of Leon Aune, Napoleon's
'brave comrade'

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804- 14, 1815

LANNES JEAN (1769-1809) Marshal of France. Duc de Montebello. One of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals and a personal friend of the Emperor.

BESSIERES JEAN-BAPTISTE (1768-1813) Marshal of France. Duc d´ Istria.

CAFFARELLI DU FALGA MARIE-FRANCOIS AUGUSTE DE (1766-1849) French General who served as aide-de-camp to Napoleon and organised Pope Pius VII's trip to France for Napoleon's coronation as Emperor.

A rare D.S. by Napoleon I ('Bonaparte'), Jean Lannes ('Lannes'), Jean-Baptiste Bessieres ('Bessieres'), Marie-Francois Auguste de Caffarelli du Falga ('A. Caffarelli') and a number of others, at the conclusion, six pages, folio, Paris, 20th October 1800, in French. The manuscript document is a marriage certificate issued for Leon Aune and Anne Clair, in the presence and agreement of Napoleon, and comprises ten clauses with references to the endowment provided by the parents of Anne Clair, and to the wedding contract. Signed by Leon Aune and Anne Clair at the conclusion, alongside the signature of Napoleon and the other witnesses at their marriage, and also with a number of annotations in the margins throughout the document, each initialled by both the bride and groom. An interesting combination of signatures with a good association. Neatly tied into the original paper wrappers with the title and date to the front cover. The edges of the paper a little ragged and with some light overall age wear, otherwise VG

Leon Aune (1777-1803) French Military officer, labelled 'the second Grenadier of France' by Napoleon. Aune served as a Second Lieutenant in the Foot Grenadiers of the Consular Guard and received a sabre and musket of honour in March 1800 in recognition of his brilliant actions. Aune wrote to Napoleon to thank him for his weapons of honour and he was to receive a reply from Bonaparte stating 'I have received your letter, my brave comrade. You needed not to have told me of your exploits, for you are the bravest grenadier in the whole army, since the death of Benezete. You received one of the hundred sabres I distributed to the army, and all agreed you most deserved it. I wish very much to see you. The War Minister sends you an order to come to Paris'. This letter, circulated throughout Napoleon's army, would serve to have a tremendous effect on the enthusiasm and morale of the troops. Napoleon had Aune taught to write, so that he could be promoted, although was to tragically die at an early age from pneumonia. Napoleon signed a decree following Aune's death approving a pension of 500 Francs to Anne Clair, his widow.

Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and, as Napoleon I, served as Emperor of the French from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He was victorious in most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has ensured his status as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in history.