A rare personal copy of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Civil Code is set for auction on March 6, with an estimated value of 100,000 to 200,000 euros. This unique edition, linked to Étienne Charvet, a loyal supporter of Napoleon, includes an autograph letter from Charvet’s son verifying its authenticity. The Civil Code, established in 1804, transformed legal relations and secular governance, although it initially reflected gender biases. Many original articles still remain relevant today, showcasing its enduring impact.
Napoleon’s Historic Civil Code Up for Auction
A truly extraordinary piece of history is set to hit the auction block on March 6. The personal copy of the Civil Code belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte is expected to fetch between 100,000 and 200,000 euros, as announced by the Tajan auction house. This remarkable edition, printed on large vellum paper and featuring the image of the First Consul, is unique and the only one in private ownership, having been preserved within the same family since the end of the Empire.
A Legacy of Loyalty and Historical Significance
The copy originates from the family of Étienne Charvet, a devoted supporter of Napoleon who served as the steward of the Château de Saint-Cloud. It is believed that Napoleon left this treasured document behind when he was exiled to the island of Elba in 1814. Accompanying the book is an autograph letter from Charvet’s son, Jean-Pierre, which confirms the authenticity of this significant artifact.
When Napoleon rose to power in 1799, he prioritized the establishment of a distinct civil code. Enlisting the expertise of four jurists—Portalis, Maleville, Tronchet, and Bigot de Préameneu—in 1800, he set forth on this monumental task. The laws encapsulated within the Civil Code were officially promulgated in March 1804, marking a pivotal moment in legal history.
In Napoleon’s own words, “My true glory is not having won forty battles. What nothing will erase, what will live forever, is my Civil Code!” This statement reflects the significance he placed on the code, which sought to redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens as well as among citizens themselves. It also laid the groundwork for secular governance by removing civil status from ecclesiastical authority.
While the Civil Code was revolutionary, it also contained articles that reflected the gender biases of its time. Provisions that have since been repealed demonstrated a stark misogyny, where married women were deemed inferior to men, classified alongside minors and those deemed insane, thus stripping them of civil rights upon marriage. Article 213 of the code stated, “The husband must protect his wife, the wife obedience to her husband,” a notion that was not revised until 1970 to recognize the equal partnership in family dynamics.
Despite its historical flaws, the Civil Code has proven resilient, with nearly half of its original 2,281 articles still in effect today. Significant amendments over the years have included the recognition of mutual consent divorce in 1975, the abolition of distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children in 2005, and the landmark legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013. In 2014, the outdated phrase “as a good father of the family” was modernized to the more inclusive term “reasonably,” reflecting societal progress.