The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals

FRANCE, ‘Retour des Cendres’ de Napoléon Premier, Passage à Rouen [’Return of the Ashes’ of Napoléon I, Passage Through Rouen], 1840, a copper medal by A.J. Depaulis, laureate head of Napoléon supported on a cushion, rev. the steamer La Normandie passing under a draped and decorated arch spanning the River Seine at Rouen, edge impressed cuivre and prow, 63mm, 144.80g (Bramsen 1980; CGMP p.149; BDM I, 557; Slg. Julius 3993; cf. SJA 49, 1227; cf. DNW 128, 700). Very fine £90-£120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals.

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Baldwin Auction 39, 11 October 2004, lot 2088

In 1840, to appease various political factions, King Louis-Philippe authorised the return to France of Napoleon Bonaparte’s body from St Helena, where it had not been cremated, contrary to French legend. The body left St Helena on the La Belle Poule on 18 October 1840 for Cherbourg, where it arrived on 30 November, before being transferred to La Normandie, a steamboat which ferried it to Val-de-la-Haye, Rouen, whence it was taken by a smaller vessel to Paris; Napoleon was buried at Les Invalides on 15 December 1840.