Imperial Decree Napoleon III – Tuileries Palace – 1855 – French Second Empire

Imperial DecreeNapoleon III – Tuileries Palace – 1855 – French Second Empire

Rare original imperial decree issued in 1855 under the reign of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French.

The document bears the heading:

“Napoléon, par la grâce de Dieu et la volonté nationale, Empereur des Français”

and was issued by the Administration des Cultes (the ministry responsible for religious affairs).

Historical Context

During the Second French Empire (1852–1870), official decrees concerning the clergy and church administration were issued in the name of the Emperor.

The present decree concerns the appointment of a parish priest, demonstrating the close relationship between the French state and the Catholic Church during the reign of Napoleon III.

The document was issued from the Palais des Tuileries, the official imperial residence in Paris.

Description

Original imperial document including:

• printed imperial decree format
• reference to Napoleon III
• official ministry heading Administration des Cultes
• handwritten administrative additions
• embossed imperial seal
• signatures of government officials

 Details

• Date: 21 February 1855
• Place: Palais des Tuileries, Paris
• Authority: Imperial Government of France
• Ruler: Napoleon III
• Type: Imperial administrative decree
• Language: French
• Material: Printed and handwritten ink on paper

 Condition

Very good historical condition:

• original folds from archival storage
• light foxing
• clear embossed imperial seal
• well-preserved handwriting

 Collector Interest

Highly collectible for collectors of:

• Napoleonic history
• Second French Empire documents
• imperial decrees
• French political history
• ecclesiastical administration records