Very rare letter, in French, signed "Np", one page, 8.25" x 11.5", Island of Elba, July 27, 1814. Henri-Gatien Bertrand, the Grand Marshal of the Palace, writes this letter requesting authorization to pay rent on his Elba house. (Bertrand has signed this letter "Bertrand.") Napoleon has boldly signed his approval in the upper left corner. This letter is particularly attractive since Napoleon (and Bertrand) spent less than a year on the Mediterranean island.
In 1812, thinking that Russia was plotting an alliance with England, Napoleon launched an invasion against the Russians that eventually ended with his troops retreating from Moscow and much of Europe uniting against him. In 1814, Napoleon's broken forces gave up and Napoleon offered to step down in favor of his son. When this offer was rejected, he abdicated the throne on April 11, 1814 and was banished to Elba;
The Allied Powers having declared that Emperor Napoleon was the sole obstacle to the restoration of peace in Europe, Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he renounces, for himself and his heirs, the thrones of France and Italy, and that there is no personal sacrifice, even that of his life, which he is not ready to do in the interests of France. - 11 April 1814 - (Act of abdication of Napoleon)
Elba was a small Mediterranean island of 12,000 inhabitants in the Mediterranean, 20 km (12 mi) off the Tuscan coast. They gave him sovereignty over the island and allowed him to retain his title of emperor. In the first few months Napoleon actually worked hard to improve Elba, as he helped create a small navy and army, developed the iron mines, and issued decrees on modern agricultural methods. To all observers, it seemed as though Napoleon was content to a life of relative retirement. All the while, however, he was plotting his return to Europe. On February 26, 1815, Napoleon managed to sneak past his guards and somehow escape from Elba, slip past interception by a British ship, and return to France. French police forces were sent to arrest him, but upon arriving in his presence, they kneeled before him. Triumphantly, Napoleon returned to Paris on March 20, 1815. Paris welcomed him with celebration, and Louis XVIII, the new king, fled to Belgium.
Bertrand, one of Napoleon's most loyal and trusted Generals and he accompanied his emperor to both of his exile destinations, Elba in 1814-1815 and St. Helena in 1815-1821. In between, he held a command in the Waterloo campaign. In notably fine condition and boasting a superb Napoleon signature.