Napoleon I--Lewis Gideon | Letter describing the exhumation of Napoleon's body, 1840

Napoleon I--Lewis Gideon

Autograph letter signed, to Captain John Pillon

care of Messrs Cox & Co., Craigs Court, Charing Cross, London, giving a detailed description of the exhumation of Napoleon's body on 15 October 1840 with full Anglo-French military honours prior to the new coffin's departure for France, 4 pages, 4to, integral address panel, St Helena, 30 October 1840, markings from adhesive tape, restored, some loss of text

“…WHEN THEY WERE OPENED, THE BODY APPEARED PERFECT, THE COUNTENANCE VERY LITTLE ALTERED TO WHICH IT WAS WHEN LAID THERE 19 YEARS SINCE, THE HAND QUITE FINE.”

This account describes the complex exhumation of Napoleon, involving French and British parties, that commenced at midnight on the 14 October 1840, with the body being transferred to the Belle Poule on the afternoon of the 15th. It was a formal and ceremonious affair, as well as a complicated logistical procedure, where the many layers of his grave and the multiple nested coffins of mahogany, lead and tin were carefully removed.

Following extensive lobbying and debate, the return of Napoleon to France was decided in May 1840, greatly encouraged by Adolphe Thiers and King Louis-Philippe. Napoleon was buried at Les Invalides on the 15 December.

Written by Lewis Gideon, formerly Lewis Gideon Solomon, who was part of a prominent St Helenan family, and so presumably carried by special private arrangement with a ship's Captain. He was the brother of Saul Solomon, the politician that founded the Cape Argus newspaper and long term MP for the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope.

PROVENANCE:

Cavendish Philatelic Auctions, 11 September 2013, lot 89