Nov 26, 2013 - Sale 2333

Sale 2333 - Lot 75

Price Realized: $ 4,680
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
(NAPOLEON.) BONAPARTE, JOSEPHINE. Autograph Letter Signed, "josephine," as Empress of France, to Pierre Antoine Noël Bruno, Comte Daru ("Dear Mr. D'Aru"), in French, acknowledging his notes on plants in certain gardens, sending a letter from Mr. Denon concerning items for ornaments obtained by him [not present], requesting that he arrange for Mr. Denon to send the items to her, congratulating him on the imminent birth of a child, and offering to give the child her own name. 1 1/2 pages, 8vo, with integral blank, decorative embossing. Mainz, 16 January [1807]
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"I have received with pleasure the notes you sent me about the plants of Pomerania and the Berlin Garden. . . . I have been assured that there were also very rare plants in the gardens of the Elector of Hesse . . . . [C]ameos and turquoises . . . . have no value except to be made into ornaments for pretty ladies, to whom their color is wonderfully becoming. The Empress is no more devoid of a little coquetry than any other woman, but as the Emperor is her only object, she may well be pardoned. . . . I congratulate you . . . . I see for you the hope of an increase in your family, and in happiness. If it is a girl, I shall be delighted to give her my name. . . . All the servants of the Emperor are dear to me, and I know how much you are devoted to him."
In June of 1807, a son was born to Pierre Daru and his wife: Napoléon, Comte Daru.