Napoleon, like Shakespeare, has been the subject of innumerable arguments. The sources for Shakespeare
are few, leaving great space for conjecture. The sources for Napoleon are so many that even as industrious a team
as Ariel and Will Durant could not be familiar with enough of them to divine the truth concealed under a mountain of books.
Few biographers have the ability to synthesize a man from what has been written about him and, when the best
anecdotes about a historical figure have been written for ulterior purposes, to discount what has been written. Most
of the memoirs written by Napoleon's contemporaries have had as their object to curry favor with the royalists or
the imperialists. Neither side had as its main purpose the exposition of Napoleon as he was.
In one way or another this dichotomy has continued. George Will considers Napoleon to have been the most hateful
tyrant who ever lived (which suggests that Mr Will has never read Procopius' account of Emperor Justinian).
Weider and Hapgood, who wrote so imaginatively about the murder of Napoleon, pinned the murder on a man they
called "a general of Louis XVIII" with no apparent knowledge that the man was a lomg-time acquaintance of Napoleon who at the age of six was given lessons in mathematics by Napoleon,
was created a count by Napoleon in 1810 and was made a general by him in 1811. Montholon did not support Louis XVIII during the first restoration, rallied to Napoleon on his return from Elba. It is said (8 September 1816 report of Balmain, Russian delegate on St. Helena) that Montholon accompanied Napoleon in exile to escape his creditors.
Certainly Napoleon himself did little to reveal the true man. He attempted to suppress his earliest publication; he
avoided discussions of his earliest public life. An outstanding gap appears in our knowledge of his activities during
the reign of Robespierre, a period during which, in all likelihood, Fouche acquired the information which enabled
him to stand up to Napoleon, even treasonously to propose in 1810 that the United Kingdom and France might
make peace, even if it meant discarding Napoleon (Rose, Life of Napoleon, vol. 2, p. 196).
One of the indisputable facts we have about Napoleon is that he had a series of medals issued commemorating
notable events of his reign. But even this series of medals has its problems. When Louis XVIII began the part of
his reign during which he ruled, it was decided that a damnatio memoriae be performed, that Napoleon had never
existed. The mint had continued to strike and sell medals commemorating Napoleon. so the government took the
dies for those medals away from the mint (1816). Consequently the medal mint list published in 1818 proceeds
from the medals of Louis XVI to those of Louis XVIII without mentioning the hundreds turned out for Napoleon.
To add insult to injury, two neutral medals of Napoleon's, Reestablishment of the Mint and Homage to Haydn
are credited to Louis XVIII!
Although a catalog of medals of the French Revolution had been published in 1806 by Millin, Keeper of Coins and
Medals at the French Library, the first catalog of Napoleonic medals was published in England, in 1818. The
author, Captain J.C. Laskey, based his book on "The French Medal Mint List", a copy of which he gives. This
list includes one hundred forty one medals and apparently represents all of the Napoleonic medals of which copies
were for sale at the medal mint in 1815, before Napoleon was erased from the books. Laskey gives extensive
background information about most of the medals he lists. Some copies of the book
were printed on large paper. The only illustrations are generic culs-de-lampe, engraved on wood in the style of Bewick.
A couple of other catalogs appeared soon after Laskey's. In 1819 appeared the first part of Millingen's "Metallic history of Napoleon". Millingen's book is, as he explained, composed from the manuscript and plates prepared by Millin for a continuation of his "Metallic history of the French revolution" mentioned above. Millin's work covered the period from the revolution to 1806; Millingen extended the work to the exile of Napoleon in 1815. This is the first illustrated catalog of Napoleonic medals. The accuracy of most of the engravings leaves much to be desired but the notes are important. The book was published in two versions, one English and one French. The translation is so well done that it is impossible to separate Millin's words from Millingen's, making it difficult to decide which are an eye-witness's account and which an editor's opinion.
In 1820 Ann Mudie Scargill's name appears as author on a book titled "Medallic history of Napoleon Bonaparte, translated by Miss Ann Mudie Scargill, from the original manuscript, intended to have been published by the late government of France", 1820. Miss Scargill knew Vivant Denon, director of the French medal mint during Napoleon's reign, having worked for him for a time in Paris. Her introduction contains some interesting remarks about the status of medal production in Great Britain in 1820, but I think the book is not exactly what it purports to be. It is replete with errors, both typographic and factual. The implication is that the author is Vivant Denon, but the descriptions of the medals contain some mistakes which Denon could not have made. One of the medals, her number 118, Champ de Mai, is unknown except for her reference.
The demand of collectors for these medals growing, an enterprising man named Bigi began producing uniface casts. He published several brochures describing the medals of which he sold copies; in one dated 1828 he reproduces what he claims to be notes by Denon, the man who directed the creation of the medals. These notes were apparently translated verbatim from Millingen's "Metallic history", so they appear to be plagiarisms. They have no independent value.
The definitive illustrated catalog of the medals of the French Revolution was created by Hennin. Mr Hennin's researches are displayed in a scholarly and comprehensive text, illustrated with excellent engravings. Hennin's "Numismatic history of the French Revolution" was published in 1826. It remains the only catalog which contains practically all of the early Napoleonic medals and jettons produced in France, although many English productions are missing..
The Medal Mint recovered its Napoleonic dies after the Revolution of 1830 and began restriking with them. Their inventory at that time is shown by the Metal Mint Catalog of 1833. It was originally intended that this catalog be an inventory of all the punches, hubs, and dies which the mint possessed, but the published part includes only the
dies. By this time the mint had dies for about five hundred Napoleonic medals. Some of these dies were privately owned: because with a few exceptions medal striking was a state monopoly, the mint would strike medals for anyone who had dies and would, if required, store the private dies. One such entrepreneur was Brasseux. In 1840 he published "Catalogue des M�dailles de l'Histoire numismatique de Napol�on, comme G�n�ral,
Consul et Empereur, frapp�es a la Monnaie de Paris... en vente, chez Brasseux ain�, graveur du Roi,
�diteur". Brasseux had engravings made of the medals, the engravings being issued individually so collectors
could acquire only the ones illustrating medals they possessed. Brasseux explains that he has been acquiring the
dies of Napoleonic medals which were struck in Italy and Germany and having new dies made when he could not
obtain the originals. His list contains one hundred ten medals; the specimens from his newly created dies were
edge-marked "COPIE".
The great illustrated catalogs of Napoleonic medals are part of L�normant's Tr�sor de numismatique
et glyptique, an expensive publication. This series replaced the old engraved illustrations of coins and medals by
a new process whereby the engraved plates were prepared mechanically directly from casts of the medals. The
volume containing medals of the French Revolution first appeared in 1836, followed in 1840 by one covering the
empire. The text in these volumes, written by George-Julien Fellmann, does not reach Hennin's high standard, but
this was the first publication of many of the medals from imperial times.
John Sainsbury was perhaps the most important collector of Napoleonic memorabilia in the nineteenth century.
He published a small catalog of his collection in about 1835 and a much larger one in 1845. Mr Sainsbury reports with relish that when Joseph Bonaparte
was examining the collection he quite frequently exclaimed, "How on earth did you get this?" The section devoted
to state papers and manuscripts, 3540 of them, is impressive but the listing of his medals (498) is of little
consequence, although number 101, a copy of the "Dux tutus ab insidiis" in silver, was "given him by his friend,
the late Mr Barry O'Meara, to whom this Medal was given by the Emperor at St. Helena."
The definitive catalog for the medals issued while Napoleon was ruling France is that of Bramsen. Although this
catalog is unillustrated it contains over 2300 pieces, with brief comments. If a dealer offers a medal "not in
Bramsen" then that medal is a most probably a medal which should not be in Bramsen! Bramsen published his
catalog, "A cabinet of medals of Napoleon the Great", in three parts, 1904-1913. Although he paid the printer for
four hundred copies it seems likely that the printer made another four hundred or more for his own account, since
this catalog is not really uncommon. Bramsen attempted to cover the period from the day Napoleon overthrew the
Directorate (9 November 1799) to 1869. He explained that the earlier period had already been well done by
Hennin, so he chose to begin where Hennin left off, basing his work on the Tr�sor volumes but
supplementing it with pieces which had been overlooked and adding medals from foreign countries which were
related to Napoleon or events of his reign. Bramsen asterisked the catalog entries he owned and remarked that the
numbers not asterisked could be considered rare. Bramsen's collection was sold to Dr Julius in toto.
Three outstanding collections of Napoleonic medals have been sold at auction. The first belonged to the Prince
d'Essling, the second to Dr Julius, and the third to Victor Bonaparte, Prince Napoleon. The last was a unique
event, since it dispersed the copies of the medals in gold which had been struck for Napoleon I.
1818. Captain J.C. Laskey. A description of the series of medals struck at the National Medal Mint by order of Napoleon Bonaparte commemorating the most remarkable battles and events during his dynasty. [eagle] by Captain J.C. Laskey, member of the Wernerian Society, L.S.H.S. &c. [double bar] London: printed for H.R. Young, No. 56, Paternoster-Row. [bar] 1818. Quarto, xii+238 pp. and octavo from the same type-setting.
1819, 1821. [A.L. Millin de Grandmaison and James Millingen] Medallic history of Napoleon. A collection of all the medals, coins, and jettons, relating to his actions and reign, from the year 1796 to 1815. [bar] London: printed for the editor, and sold by Rodwell and Martin, New Bond-Street. 1819. Quarto, viii+120 pp. + t.p. of supplement+42 pp.+74 engraved plates.
1820. Ann Mudie Scargill. Medallic history of Napoleon Bonaparte, translated by Miss Ann Mudie Scargill, From the Original Manuscript, intended to have been published by the late government of France. [bar] 1820. Octavo, xvi+182 pp. Note: The proprietor ran The Medallic Cabinet, No. 168, Strand, six doors east of Somerset House.
1826. M.H. [Hennin]. Histoire numismatique de la r�volution fran�aise, ou description raisonn� des m�dailles, monnaies, et autres monumens numismatiques relatifs aux affaires de la France, depuis l'overture des �tats-g�n�raux jusqu'a l'�tablissement du gouvernement consulaire; par M. H..... avec planches. [device] Paris, J.S. Merlin, libraire, quai des Augustins, No. 7. [double bar] 1826. Quarto. Bastard t.p.+t.p.+xx+780 pp. A second volume contains 95 engraved plates.
1828. R. de B. Collection de m�dailles des campagnes et du r�gne de l'empereur Napol�on, depuis sa premi�re campagne d'Italie, en 1796, jusqu'a son abdication en 1815. La notice est r�dig� d'apres les manuscrits de M. Denon, par R. de B. [bar]Paris, chez Ch. Bigi, �diteur de cette collection, Rue Vivienne, No 2. [bar] 1828. Octavo, 16 pp.
1833. Commission des Monnaies et M�dailles. Catalogue des poin�ons, coins et m�dailles du Mus�e Mon�taire. Paris, A. Pihan de la Forest, Imprimeur de la Cour de Cassation, Rue des Noyers, No 37. [bar] 1833. Quarto. xl+522 pp.
[ca.1835]. [Johm Sainsbury]. Catalogue of a collection of cameos, marble busts, statues in gold, silver, bronze, and ivory, carvings, fine gold orders, bronzes, enamels, paintings, miniatures, elegant clock, swords, gold, silver, and bronze medals, a fine gold mortar, Napoleon's tomb, in pure gold, china, porcelaine, drawings, autograph letters of Napoleon and Josephine, manuscripts, prints, and books. relative to the Emperor Napoleon and his family; collected on the continent and in England during the last fifteen years. np, nd. pp. 1-58.
Fac-similes of all the different signatures of the Emperor Napoleon. pp. 1-8.
Unnumbered leaf containing a letter from O'Meara.
Supplement to the catalogue of a collection of works of art relating to the Emperor Napoleon. containing also, anecdotes of Napoleon's Conversations when at School, and copies of many of his Letters previous to the year 1796; together with a Portrait of him, never before Published, and Twelve Fac Similes from Original Letters and Official Documents in possession of the Owner of the Collection,-- who, since the publication of his Catalogue, has been able (owing to the decease of an eminent Collector in Paris) to obtain several other objects connected with his former Collection, which are here added to it. np, nd. pp. [59]-90.
Five full-page facsimiles: a drawing and four letters.
1836. George-Julien Fellmann. Tr�sor de numismatique et de glyptique, ou recueil g�n�ral de m�dailles, monnaies, pierres grav�es, bas reliefs, etc., tant anciens que modernes, les plus int�ressans sous le rapport de l'art et de l'histoire, grav�s par les proc�d�s de M. Achille Collas, sous la direction de M. Paul Delaroche, peintre, membre de l'Institut; de M. Henriquel Dupont, graveur; et de M. Charles Lenormant, Conservateur-Adjoint du Cabinet des m�dailles et antiques de la Biblioth�que royale, professeur-adjoint a la facult� des lettres. [bar] M�dailles de la R�volution fran�aise, depuis l'ouverture des �tats-g�n�raux (5 mai 1789) jusqu'a la proclamation de l'empire (18 mai 1804). [bar] A Paris, au bureau du Tr�sor de numismatique et de glyptique, Rue du colombier, No. 30. chez Rittner et Goupil, �diteurs marchands d'estampes, Boulevart Montmartre, No. 15. [bar]1836. Folio, bastard t.p.+t.p.+140 pp.+96 engraved plates. Note: The Tr�sor volumes were published in parts over a period of time.
1837. Edward Edwards, ed. The Napoleon Medals: a complete series of the medals struck in France, Italy, Great Britain and Germany, from the commencement of the Empire in 1804, to the restoration in 1815, engraved by the process of Achilles Collas, with historical and biographical notices. Edited by Edward Edwards. London: Henry Hering, 9 Newman Street, Oxford street; Paul and Dominic Colnaghi and Co., Pall Mall East. M.D.CCC.XXXVII. Folio, frontispiece+t.p.+6 pp.+170 pp.+40 plates. Note: This is an English translation of the first half of the French Tr�sor volume covering the medals of the empire. It was published before the serial publication of the French edition was complete.
1840. Anonymous. Catalogue des M�dailles de l'Histoire numismatique de Napol�on, comme G�n�ral, Consul et Empereur, frapp�es a la Monnaie de Paris, depuis la bataille de Montnotte, en 1796, jusqu'a nos jours. [bar] en vente, chez Brasseux ain�, graveur du Roi, �diteur, Palais-Royal, No 47, Galerie Montpensier. [bar] 1840. A sixteen page octavo brochure.
1840. George-Julien Fellmann. Tr�sor de numismatique et de glyptique, ou recueil g�n�ral de m�dailles, monnaies, pierres grav�es, bas reliefs, etc., tant anciens que modernes, les plus int�ressans sous le rapport de l'art et de l'histoire, grav�s par les proc�d�s de M. Achille Collas, sous la direction de M. Paul Delaroche, peintre, membre de l'Institut; de M. Henriquel Dupont, graveur; et de M. Charles Lenormant, Conservateur de la Biblioth�que royale, professeur-suppl�ant a la facult� des lettres. [bar] Collection des M�dailles de l'Empire fran�ais, et de l'Empereur Napol�on. [bar] A Paris, au bureau du Tr�sor de numismatique et de glyptique, Rue Jacob, No. 30; chez Rittner et Goupil, �diteurs marchands d'estampes, Boulevart Montmartre, No. 15. [bar]1840. Folio, bastard t.p.+t.p.+2+148 pp.+72 engraved plates. Note: The Tr�sor volumes were published in parts over a period of time.
1845. John Sainsbury. The Napoleon museum The history of France illustrated from Louis XIV to the end of the reign and death of the Emperor comprising marbles bronzes carvings gems decorations medallions drawing miniatures portraits pictures prints vignettes state papers and manuscripts coins medals books etc. collected arranged and described by John Sainsbury [crowned eagle on thunderbolt gilt] "I am willing to think him one of the best as I am sure he is the greatest of men" Charles James Fox London printed in the year MDCCCXLV. Imperial quarto. Frontispiece+t.p.+contents+ii+692 pp.+40 lithographic plates.
1892. Administration des Monnaies et M�dailles. M�dailles fran�aises dont le coins sont conserv�s au Mus�e Mon�taire. Paris: Imprimerie nationale, 1892. Large quarto. Bastard t.p.+t.p.+xii+572 pp.
1904, 1907, 1913. L. Bramsen. M�daillier Napol�on le Grand ou description des m�dailles, clich�s, r�pouss�s et m�dailles- d�corations relatives aux affaires de la France pendant le Consulat et l'Empire par L. Bramsen Conseiller Intime Pr�sident de la Soci�t� numismatique � Copenhagen... Paris: Alphonse Picard & Fils. Large octavo, x+152+xxx pp.; iv+132+xxviii pp.; t.p.+2+112+xxx+20 pp.
1927. Essling. Importante collection de monnaies et m�dailles consulat et empire Napoleon Ier et sa famille Napoleon III m�dailles historiques et de personnages jetons et d�corations fran�ais et �trangers appartenant au prince d'Essling dont la vente aura lieu a Paris Hotel Drouot ...juin 1927 commissaire-priseur: M. L�on Andre... experts MM. Feuardent fr�res M. Jules Florange. Octavo, t.p.+xvi+246 pp. [The last numbered page is 247, but the printer counted pp. xv and xvi as pages 1 and 2.]+68 unbound photolithographic plates.
1932. Julius. Auction ab Montag, den 11. Januar 1932 Otto Helbig Nachf., M��nchen Barerstra�e 20 [bar] Sammlung Dr. P. Julius Heidelberg Franz�sische Revolution Napoleon I. und seine Zeit Medaillen, Orden und Ehrenzeichen M�nzen Die Auction erfolgt im Auftrage der Erben zu Gunsten der Wohlfahrtseinrichtung der I.G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft mit 58 Lichtdrucktafeln Der besuch der Auktion ist nur Inhabern des Katalogs gestattet [triple bar] Otto Helbig Nachf., M�nchen, 1932, Auctionskatalog 66. Large octavo, t.p.+intro+vi+264 pp.+58 photolithographic plates. Note: This sale did not take place; in a letter dated 22 December 1931 the Helbig customers were informed that the collection had been sold en bloc. The Julius collection was not dispersed until 1959, in a Gaettens sale.
1959. Sammlung Julius. Franz�sische Revolution, Napoleon I. und seine Zeit. I. Teil 1789-1808. (II. Teil 1809-1815) Auction 66, 21.--23. April 1959 (14.--16. September 1959). Richard Gaettens jun., Heidelberg. Folio, iv+VI+70 pp.+30 halftone plates (IV+66 pp.+29 halftone plates).
1975. Prince Napol�on. Monnaies et m�dailles napol�oniennes 2e partie importante collection de monnaies et m�dailles �mises en France sous le r�gne de Napol�on Ier et de Napol�on III comprenant deux cents m�dailles d'or dont beaucoup in�dit�s et rarissimes, une quantit� de monnaies rares de Napol�on Ier et une s�rie importante de monnaies en �tat de conservation exceptionnel, �mise pendant le r�gne de Napol�on III.[device of International Association of Professional Numismatists] Vente publique 14 ... Banque Leu S.A. Zurich D�partement numismatique. Sixty four pp.+6 half-tone plates printed in black and gold+36 half-tone plates in black. Note: Part one of this sale was devoted to coins and medals of Napoleon's relatives.