Louis-Alexandre Berthier

Louis Alexandre Berthier (20 February 1753 - 1 June 1815), Chief of Staff to Napoleon Bonaparte, authentic, autographed manuscript documet (DS) on vellum. The document is approximately 11" x 16" in size and is dated May 8, 1803.

The document contains both printed and written notations and is written on a very large, impressive stationery of the French Republic at the time napoleon served as First Consul. It is signed by Berthier as Minister of War and also contains a secretarial signature of Napoleon Bonaparte. There is also an imprinted wax seal in the bottom margin.

Berthier was the 1st Prince de Wagram, 1st Duc de Valangin and 1st Sovereign Prince of Neuchatel. Beginning in 1808, he served as both Marshall and Vice-Constable of France. More notably, he served as Chief of Staff under Napoleon.

He served in both the American and French Revolutionary Wars, distinguishing himself under Napoleon in Italy, where he served as his Chief of Staff. He was twice Minister of War and from 1805 was Chief of Staff of the Grande Armee.

Napoleon was responsible for arranging his marriage to Duchess Maria Elisabeth Franziska, whom he wed on March 9, 1808. They had one son and two daughters.

This untranslated document is crisply signed at the conclusion by Berthier. It is in good to very good condition, with overall light toning not affecting the signature. There are scattered creases and expected intersecting folds on the document.