Napoleonic Wars Archive

Item Description

Archive of Marshal Edouard Mortier, Duke of Trevise (1768-1835).

Includes a framed etching portrait signed in pencil by Mortier, Napoleonic Era maps and two early 19th Century Sevres campaign plates bearing his coat of arms.

Framed lithograph by Antoine Maurin c1832, with printed 'Mortier' and hand signed pencil autograph bottom right (35cm x 46cm). This is accompanied by a letter dated 1928 from a descendant (Marielle Gudan) describing the autographed picture. Two early 19th Century Sevres campaign plates with gilt edging and coat of arms, reverse marked 'Leple aine', diameter each 23cm. Mortier was granted his honour arms in 1808. Together with a group of eight French maps reputedly owned by Mortier. They depict the three maps of Bohemia by Kindermann in marbled case, dated 1802/3, four maps of Germany by M Chauchard in marbled slipcase, dated 1801 and a map of Spain by C. Inselin, dated 1762.

Mortier served during the French Revolutionary War and was an important Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon I during the Napoleonic Wars, controlling Hanover. He was Ambassador to Russia, Minister of Spain, Governor of the Kremlin and later Minister of War and Prime Minister of the French Republic between November 1834 and March 1835. He was killed in June 1835 during an assassination attempt on King Louis Philippe I. These items have been consigned by family descent.