A LETTER FROM JACQUES DE MENOU, SUCCESSOR OF KLÉBER, GENERAL IN CHIEF OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT (1800-1801)

EGYPT, DATED 29 BRUMAIRE AN IX/4 RAJAB AH 1215/21 NOVEMBER 1800 AD

Details

A LETTER FROM JACQUES DE MENOU, SUCCESSOR OF KLÉBER, GENERAL IN CHIEF OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT (1800-1801)
EGYPT, DATED 29 BRUMAIRE AN IX/4 RAJAB AH 1215/21 NOVEMBER 1800 AD
Probably a translation from French of an official letter, Arabic manuscript on paper, the recto with 21ll. of sepia naskh script, followed by the date in two lines inscribed according to the French Republican Calendar and in Hijri calendar, minor staining, with stamp of the Institut Egyptien (1859-1918), mounted
12¼ x 8½in. (30.8 x 21.5cm.)

Lot Essay

Jacques de Menou, Baron of Boussay, succeded Kléber at the head of Egypt after the latter's assassination on 14 June 1800. Far less popular a military commander than his predecessor, de Menou converted to Islam and married a rich Muslim Egyptian woman with whom he had a son, Jacques Mourad Soliman, born in Rosetta. Upon his conversion, he took the name of 'Abdullah with which he signs the present letter.

His army was defeated at Alexandria on 21 March 1801 and he is known for having surrendered the Rosetta Stone to the British.

For a letter of Jacques de Menou's predecessor, Jean-Baptiste Kléber see lot 628.

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