A letter from the illustrious general of the French cavalry during the period of Napoleon III, General Coste de Champeron (aka General Gustave-Jean-Jacques-Louis Coste de Champeron [see https://gw.geneanet.org/pierfit?lang=en&p=gustave&n=coste+de+champeron]) (1807–1874), giving a negative response to a request for promotion from Lancer Captain Bourlon de Moncey.
From a personal
standpoint this letter is much more than a rare and unusual historical document.
For me, the tone and the brevity of what is written, along with the small size of
the page made even smaller with fold marks in half and then into quarters, reflects
not only personal dynamics but also the broader context of military culture
during the Second Empire in France (1852–70).
Histoire de
Guerre offers the following biographical details about General Coste de
Champeron: (transl.) “COSTE DE CHAMPERON (Gustave-Jean-Jacques-Louis). French
cavalry general (Paris 1807 – 1874). A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military
school, second lieutenant in 1830, he was admitted to the Saumur cavalry
school, then served in Algeria. Lieutenant in 1832, captain in 1835, he
returned to France, was appointed lieutenant-colonel in 1848, colonel in 1852.
He returned to Algeria before leaving for the Crimean War. Brigadier general
since 1854, he then took part in the Italian campaign. He commanded the cavalry
division of the 2nd Army during the Franco-German War of 1870” (https://www.histoire-de-guerre.net/article/item/1380-coste-de-champeron).
Hand written letter in brown ink on buff coloured laid paper with folds.
Size: (sheet) 21
x 27cm.
Regarding the hand-written text, although I can decipher enough words to appreciate the broad tone of the letter, I am unable to provide a reliable translation.
Condition: Beyond
signs of wear along the fold marks of the page, the sheet is in a good
condition with no tears, holes or significant stains.
I am selling
this curiously interesting historical document from the period of Napoleon III
in France, signed by General Coste de Champeron and advising Lancer Captain Bourlon de Moncey that
his request for a promotion had been declined, for the total cost of AU$256
(currently US$169.12/EUR156.56/GBP130.52 at the time of this
listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world,
but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note
that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$256) as this is my currency.
If you are
interested in purchasing this unique letter, please contact me
(oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make
the payment easy.
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