Napoleon was a true renaissance man.

The diminutive Frenchman was one of the most celebrated commanders in history.

His military campaigns reshaped Europe.

Then there are the sweeping reforms he brought in education, business and criminal justice.

His legacy is complex.

And demand for his autograph is off the scale.

Here’s why.  

Huge influence

Napoleon is one of the greatest geniuses in history.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

His dominance on the battlefield was near absolute.  He won 52 of the 60 battles he commanded - a near unprecedented figure. Trainee officers still pore over his military campaigns.

But Napoleon wasn’t just a general.

While his goal was world domination, in the truest super villain sense, he was no tyrant. He strove to be a benevolent ruler and worked hard to improve life for his subjects.

He crushed feudalism in the countries he conquered, ending centuries of aristocratic rule. He also reformed criminal justice and education systems. These reforms were enormously effective.

So much so that even after his armies left, his codes were absorbed into the fabric of the nations he ruled.

That gives his autograph appeal all over the world, but particularly in the European nations he clashed with and/or conquered.

Institutions collect him

Napoleon was a prolific letter writer. He mostly dictated these to secretaries, signing his name at the conclusion.  

But despite the high number of letters bearing his signature, you’ll find few examples on the market.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Why?

Because museums and archives all over the world have been buying them up for more than two centuries.

And this 200 year head start has dramatically reduced the supply.

Once a document goes into a museum, it generally doesn’t return to the market.

And as I explained earlier, there are few countries in the world where Napoleon’s influence wasn’t felt.

So there are few subjects that aren’t in demand.

His autograph changes over time

Something that makes Napoleon uniquely collectible is the way his signature changes throughout his life.

At the outset of his military career in the 1790s he signed “Bounaparte”.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

After his coup in the 1800s it morphs in to “Napoleon”. Then changes further to “NP” and gets bigger as his success grows.

But after his abdication and exile, it shrinks. He begins to sign “Napoleon” again.

This is unusual.

When you think of your own signature, it’s likely it has been roughly the same throughout your life.

It means collectors are more inclined to own multiple Napoleon signatures, so they can get the full set.

Paul Fraser.

PS. Do you have a Napoleon autograph you’re looking to sell? I may be able to help. Get in touch today at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com.