57,500 CHF
A la Grande Duchesse de Toscane Watch No. 2603, sold on 20 November 1813, for the sum of 3600 Francs. Gold watch with regulator dial and quarterrepeating. Original gold Breguet double chain and ratchet key. Notes History: Bought back from Monsieur De Deliveron on 8 March 1817, for the sum of 2000 Francs. Resold to Lord Lowther on 4 August 1817, for the sum of 3200 Francs. Note: Breguet made few watches for civil use with a "regulator" dial; the minutes in the centre and the hours and seconds shown on small subsidiary rings. That he should choose to fit one on such a small watch is most unusual. ELISA BONAPARTE Princess of Lucques, Grand Duchess of Tuscany (1777 -1820) Born in Ajaccio in 1777, Elisa Bonaparte was the eldest child of Charles and Laetitia Bonaparte. 1-laving been banished by Paoli to the continent, the family struggled amidst severe financial difficulties, although Napoleon's military successes soon put an end to this life of austerity. Fearing that Elisa, now twenty, would enc up a spinster, Mrs Bonaparte convinced her daughter to yield to the marriage proposals of a somewhat mediocre Corsican officer, Pascal-Félix Bacciochi. Had Napoleon known of these plans, he most likely would have imposed his veto. History has it that he was informed too late and accordingly, the wedding was celebrated in Marseilles in 1797. Bacciochi was however promptly promoted to the rank of chief of battalion and put in charge of the Ajaccio citadel. in the days of the Consul
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-04-14
