elverno Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 1804 Le Musée Napoléon, Salle du Laocoon, France. Bramsen 367 Laskey XXXII Edwards 66 d'Essling 1045 34mm Link The British declared war on France in May of 1803. Other than harrass French shipping little else was done from then until late in 1805. It reminds me of the "Phony War" of 1939-1940. Like that war when Napoleon struck no one thought it was phony any longer. One of Napoleon's pet projects was the creation of the modern version of the Louvre. Though the buildings had originally been a palace in 1793 it was converted into a museum. It was Napoleon who really supported the enterprise however and beginning in 1803 or so made hundreds of art treasures available to its exhibitions. These treasures were largely looted by the French Army. Edwards, writing in 1836 had this to say about this medal: "The Museum, or Gallery of Antiquities at the Louvre (Galerie Des Antiques au Louvre), was in great part composed of statues and other monuments, the fruits of the conquests of the army of Italy in 1797; and collected, agreeably to the treaty of Tolentino, by Berthollet, Moitte, Monge, Thouin and Tinet, commissioners named by the Government for the collection of objects of science and art. This museum was first opened to the public on the 18th Brumaire, year IX. (9th Nov. 1800). Above of the door, on the outside, was placed a colossal bust of Napoleon, whose name was given to the museum itself at a later period. The antiques exhibited, to the number of 184, were distributed in the following galleries or saloons: saloon of the Emperors; saloon of the Seasons; saloon of Illustrious Men; saloon of the Romans, (where were the Vestal of the Capitol, the Dying Gladiator, and the Torso Belvedere); saloon of the Laocoon (where, near this celebrated group, was the Venus de' Medici); the saloon of Apollo (where was also the Antinous Belvedere); and the saloon of Diana. At the beginning of 1814 this museum contained 254 antiques: in 1815 the most precious of them were taken away by the powers then allied against France." 1804 Le Musée Napoléon, Salle de l'Apollon, France. Bramsen 371 Laskey XXXI Edwards 67 34mm Link Not nearly as nice but it was inexpensive. When I get a better example I'll send this in to be conserved by NGC to see how well they do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 great medal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiffibunny Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 I like reading all your info. You rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 1804 Mort du duc d'Enghien, France. Bramsen 294 d'Essling 1007 41mm Link The Duke d'Enghien was a Bourbon prince, fourth or fifth in line if the Bourbons ever retook the French throne from Napoleon. In 1804 the Duke had married a princess and taken up residence in Baden, a neutral territory just across the border from France. He had carried arms against Revolutionary France and had been implicated in several plots against Napoleon's life, though none of them have ever been conclusively proved. Either he was a naive boob living in an incredibly stupid location or he was actively working with other emigres to overthrow Napoleon. It didn't matter to Napoleon; there he was just sitting on the border. Never one to quibble about things like neutrality Napoleon ordered the Duke kidnapped and returned to France where after a kangaroo court he was shot in the moat at Vincennes. Talleyrand, Napoleon's foreign minister who would later betray him said of the incident "That was worse than a crime; it was a blunder." This was the incident that turned Europe's monarchies against Napoleon. Until the execution there was a feeling that he could be contained and assimilated. Afterwards there could be no dealings with those who killed royalty. In some ways Napoleon's downfall began here though it would take 8 years before his tide began to recede. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, France / German States Bramsen 336 Edwards 40 d'Essling 1031 26mm Link There were many of these German states jetons produced for the festivities of Napoleon's coronation which took place on December 2, 1804 just one year before the Battle of Austerlitz. Unfortunately for the small businessmen producing the jetons most of them are incorrectly dated. The original date for the coronation was to be in late November but had to be changed because the Pope took longer than expected to cross the Alps in the dead of winter. The jetons have the original date and there was no time to produce more with the corrected date. 1804 Le couronnement, France / German States Bramsen 342 Edwards 49 24mm Link 24mm Link The crossed cornucopia is a sign of great prosperity. 1804 Le couronnement, France / German States Bramsen 325 Edwards 30 d'Essling 1033 24mm Link 24mm Link This variant has the Gregorian date of November 23, 1804 instead of II Frimaire An XIII. The date was still wrong though... 1804 Le couronnement, France / German States Bramsen 323 Edwards 28 26mm Link Silvered brass. 26mm Link Copper. 26 mm Link Another variant with the Gregorian date. 1804 Le couronnement, France / German States Bramsen 346 Edwards 52 20mm Link This variety is quite rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 1804 Le Couronnement à Paris, France. Bramsen 330 d'Essling 1024 Laskey XLI - variant 14mm Link 14mm Yet Another 14mm A third, with die breaks evident Almost 70,000 of these tiny medals were produced to be thrown to the crowds in the streets of Paris as Napoleon arrived and left from Notre Dame for the coronation. The descriptions of the event mention that heralds sat behind Napoleon with sacks of these and threw them out of the windows. Other heralds in the following carriages did the same because the sacks were too large to fit them all in Napoleon's carriage alone. Here's a variant without the engraver's name. It is of generally better workmanship. 1804 Le Couronnement à Paris, France. Bramsen 329 Edwards 34 d'Essling 1024 Laskey XLI Milan 432-433 14mm Link 14mm Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, France Bramsen 347 var Edwards 53 d'Essling 1033 Milan 443 10mm Link This medal apparently was produced in a variety of sizes, from 10 to 18mm and with at least two busts. Most references describe the bust as laureated but this one is clearly plain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 William Betty - "The Young Roscius", Great Britain BHM 558 42mm Link William Henry West Betty was born in 1791 and first appeared on stage at the age of eleven. He usually played Shakespearean parts and was seen in London for the first time on December 1, 1804. The noted water color artist and diarist Joseph Farington made numerous entries about Betty; it would have been surprising if he had not given the dominance of the theater on public and private life. Among many other comments Farrington described one performance and the older actors in the audience's reaction: "He was greeted warmly, but the applause was quite temperate till in the third act. He excited such feelings as produced a thundering crack of applause such as I thought I never before heard. A second time He did the same His performance appeared to me to be very extraordinary considering His Youth, some parts excellent, but in parts there was something feeble from want of more physical power. His action remarkably easy. — Lawrence said to me that Pope [the actor] would have played many parts better, but there were strokes of originality above Him.— Kemble came occasionally to us but made no remark abt. the young actor. — I noticed to Mrs. Kemble His great power, considering His youth, in several difficult parts. She said it was nothing to an experienced actor. I made no further remark to Her. She had a great deal at stake & allowance was to me made." His London debut was the evening of December 1, 1804. In typical English manner Farrington had no comment about the fact that Napoleon was to be crowned Emperor the following day! And another: 1804 William Betty - "The Young Roscius", Great Britain BHM 560 45mm Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, Italian States Bramsen 334 Edwards 38 d'Essling 1028 Milan 437 42mm Link Proof positive that not all medals struck in the Napoleonic era were high art. This crude medal is extremely rare, probably less than 15 struck. This is the finest I've ever seen. It not only reproduces the date error common to the German tokens but assumes that the Pope actually got to play his part in the coronation. The reverse shows the event playing as everyone expected; Napoleon famously placed the crown upon his own head instead of allowing the Pope. Considering that the aging Pope had crossed the Swiss passes in the winter in order to do the honors it was rude... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Fetes du Couronnement, France. Laskey XLIV Edwards 57 Bramsen 359 d'Essling 1038 Milan 448 36mm Link After the coronation the City of Paris threw a reception for a few thousand invited guests and for many more thousands there was an outdoor buffet. The guests of honor were of course the new Emperor and Empress and copper versions of these medals were struck for the invited guests and for sale later at the mint. The silver medals were given to special guests who were seated at the "special" tables. Napoleon and Joesphine showed up for about half an hour and then went on to attend literally dozens of events where they stayed at most 10 minutes each. They got home quite late... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Construction des deux mille Barques, France. Bramsen 320 Laskey XXXVI d'Essling 1019 40mm Link Laskey's comments included the following: "The invasion of Great Britain at this time appeared to be the grand object of the first Consul, who, immediately on the commencement of hostilities, began to make extensive preparations for that purpose in the ports of the French and Batavian republics. All the ship and boat-builders in France, from the age of 15 to 60, were placed in a state of requisition; and it was decreed by Napoleon, that 2000 vessels should be immediately built, for the purpose of transporting the Army of England to the place of its destination, and he appointed Boulogne as the general rendezvous both for the flotilla and the army." In the end he built well more than 2,000 vessels but couldn't get his admirals to combine their fleets long enough to let him cross the Channel. In fact it was becoming something of an embarrassment standing around looking across the Channel with nothing to do but train. The Grande Armee became the most formidable force in the world as a result and across the Channel panicky businessmen joined militia units to help repel the coming invasion. Fortunately for them, and for Napoleon, the Austrians started hostilities and turning east, the Grande Armee went on to crush the Austrians at Ulm as well as the combined Austro-Russian army at Austerlitz. The boats rotted where they lay, though you have to hope that some of them were converted into fishing boats... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 That lion kind of looks like the British bulldog on an earlier medal? Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Exactly! I'm not certain why but the French engravers of the period pretty consistently showed the English "bulldog" as an odd cross between leopard, lion and mastiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Protector's Medal, Canton of Zürich d'Essling 1055 Milan 459 35mm Link In 1804 there was apparently an insurrection in Switzerland, possibly only in the canton of Zürich, known as the "Bockenkrieg". The engraver Ablerli, who did this medal, created several varieties of it to be presented to the officers that led the troops that put the insurrection down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Public Joy, Austria. 21mm Link Or Public Hilarity perhaps. I'm not certain what the occasion was but it took place only 4 days after Napoleon's coronation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Camp autrichien à Prague, Austria. Bramsen 381 d'Essling 1052 39mm Link The Austrians prepared to fight the French and formed a huge encampment near Prague, the Czech lands then part of the Austrian empire. The man on horseback is the Archduke Charles. This medal is quite scarce, I've never seen one before this one appeared on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, France. Bramsen 337 Edwards 41 d'Essling 1030 23mm Link 23mm Link And yet another subtle bust variant: 23mm Link This is one of the 'HONNEUR ET PATRIE' series of coronation jetons. And this is a variety: 1804 Le couronnement, France. Bramsen 338 Edwards 42 d'Essling 1030 25mm Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 1804 L'École des Mines du Mont-Blanc, France Bramsen 471 Laskey XXXIV d'Essling 1121 40mm Link Napoleon was interested in all aspects of economic life as well as always planning ahead. To that end he established a school to train students in the "art of mining and mineralogy" as Laskey put it. In the detail of the reverse you can see tiny figures at work in the lower left mining in a cave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Wow. The mining medal is exceptional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Yeah the craftsmanship and skill of the engravers working in the Paris mint was remarkable. There were other mints that had a few engravers that came close but the A team definitely worked in Paris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 1804 Le Couronnement à Paris, France Bramsen 326 Edwards 31 d'Essling 1021 40mm Link Edwards said in part: "Medals of four different sizes were struck on this occasion: the largest were given in gold or silver to those who assisted at the ceremony, and the smallest were thrown among the people by the heralds-at-arms. The latter were struck in such numbers as to require the employment of several dies." This is one of the large silver versions and therefore was probably given to some minor official who stood around in silly clothes. And in copper: 40mm Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, France Bramsen 333 Edwards 37 d'Essling 1027 44mm Link A variation on the official coronation medals. Edwards pointed out in his 1837 book that 'The larger letters of the inscription on the reverse, when united, form the date of the medal, 1804.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 1804 La Légion d'Honneur, France Laskey XXXIII Bramsen 310 d'Essling 1013 40mm Link In a note, Bramsen commented: "The order of the Legion of Honor was instituted on May 19, 1802 to reward military and civil services. The inauguration of this institution and the first distribution of decorations took place in the church of the Invalids, July 15, 1804." It was the most coveted honor in France during Napoleon's reign and is still considered a great honor to receive one to this day. Napoleon kept several of the medals in his carriage and would award them on the field of battle; but more commonly the receipients were recommended by their officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 1804 Le couronnement, France Bramsen 344 Edwards 51 d'Essling 1033 21mm Link "To the happiness of the world" I'm not certain of the meaning of the winged anchor as a symbol. 21mm Link This awful cull is a variant of the above piece and may have been engraved as late as the 1840s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 1804 Société Centrale de Vaccine, France Bramsen 400 Laskey XLVII d'Essling 1056 40mm Link Laskey had this to say: "The allegory of this medal is too obvious to require any elucidation here; during the year 1804, the vaccine innoculation was introduced into France, and schools were instituted for the instruction and practice of the art. This medal was struck to commemorate the establishment of the society for the extermination of the small-pox by vaccination; the society's rooms are situated in the Rue du Battoir, St. André des Arts, Paris." It's important to note that the technique for innoculation was developed in Great Britain and during wartime freely given to the French. The nineteenth century operated on a level of humanity we could learn from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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