Napoleon's Marriage Certificate, Divorce Folio, and Codicil to Auction

One of the most comprehensive Napoleonic private collections to come to market including Napoleon Bonaparte's personal documents, bicorne hat, and campaign bed will go under the hammer at Sotheby's on June 25.

The handwritten and ceremonially ornate marriage certificate of Napoleon and Joséphine which formalised their union has an estimate of €30,000-€50,000. Though already civilly married, Napoleon sought religious legitimisation on the eve of his coronation. 

Also in the sale is the large red folio which contained the official documents of Napoleon’s divorce from Joséphine (estimate: €50,000-€80,000) after several years without producing an heir. The divorce decree was pronounced on December 15, 1809, though the former spouses continued to correspond regularly. The monumental red portfolio with worn leather bindings was once the repository of all official documents concerning the imperial divorce. Its twin, preserved in the French National Archives, held smaller-format documents while this folio likely contained oversize edicts and  court decisions.

The first codicil of Napoleon’s first testament (estimate: €300,000-€500,000) was written in the Emperor’s own hand while in exile on Saint Helena  and signed with his imperial seal. He hastily wrote it to distribute his modest possessions among his most loyal companions and others who had followed him into exile.  Unlike the will it once accompanied which was later destroyed by Napoleon himself this codicil was preserved by French general and head of Napoleon's military household Henri-Gatien Bertrand and passed  down through his family.

Other highlights include:

• Napoleon’s iconic bicorne hat (estimate: €500,000-€800,0000
• the sword and stick using during his coronation ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris (estimate: €200,000-€400,000)
• his personal gold and ebony seal (estimate: €150,000-€250,000)
• his bespoke portable folding campaign bed (estimate: €40,000-€60,000)