Historical Souvenirs: Memories of Great Men

The first section will be dedicated to Bonaparte’s Egyptian expedition, accompanied by his team of scholars, presented through a collection of drawings and documents from the former collection of Jean-Joseph Marcel, engineer, orientalist, and interpreter who took part to the journey.

Artcurial will feature a rare 1830 bound edition of the Description de l’Égypte, alongside twenty preparatory drawings for the book’s illustrations, depicting archaeological objects, hieroglyphic surveys, and botanical studies. This remarkable ensemble includes both carefully finished watercolor drawings, submitted to the Commission of Arts, and sketches captured on site during the expedition.

While the military successes of the campaign, led by the young General Bonaparte, were limited, his scientific ambition represents the true triumph. From the very landing, the project for a monumental work began to take shape, a direct heir to the Enlightenment and the Revolution.

The second part of the auction will shed light on the political and personal relationship between Paul Reynaud and Charles de Gaulle, through the rediscovery of an exceptional collection of over 70 autograph letters exchanged between 1934 and 1966, coming directly from the descendants of Paul Reynaud. These documents reveal Reynaud’s strategic importance to de Gaulle, his insights on the rise of Nazism, and his vision of a modern, offensive army.

Among the highlights, a letter dated January 30th1940, in which Colonel de Gaulle expresses his desire to be temporary appointed Brigadier General. A few months later, Paul Reynaud, having become President of the Council, called on him to serve as Under-Secretary of State for War and National Defense.

The correspondence continues after the war, notably addressing Reynaud’s role in drafting the Constitution of the Fifth Republic and his opposition, in 1962, to the election of the President by universal suffrage.

This collection is further enriched by personal mementos, such as Paul Reynaud’s wristwatch, as well as signed photographs: one by Winston Churchill (In memory of great days), and another by Charles de Gaulle, inscribed with a dedication to Reynaud.

The final section, dedicated to the Principality of Monaco, will feature three exceptional historical watches that once belonged to Pierre Rey, private advisor to Prince Rainier III and a discreet yet influential figure in Monaco’s modernization during the 1950s. Preserved by his family, these pieces reflect both his taste for horological excellence and his role in the history of the Rocher.

Among them is a Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 1415, in the rare Pink on Pink configuration (rose gold case and pink dial), one of the very first models allowing simultaneous reading of the time in the world’s major capitals. It will be accompanied by a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 1526 “Big Arabic,” the first wristwatch with a perpetual calendar produced in series by the manufacture in Geneva, of which only three examples are known today (one of which is preserved at the Patek Philippe Museum). Finally, a unique piece completes the ensemble: a Cartier Pièce de Monnaie, a secret watch specially commissioned for Pierre Rey, concealed within a coin engraved with the effigy of Prince Rainier III, dated 1950, symbolizing the exceptional trust and friendship between the Prince and his advisor.

Auction
Historical Souvenirs
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
2pm – Bonaparte, Reynaud, De Gaulle and Others
6pm – Historic Watches from the Principality of Monaco

Exhibition
From Saturday 11th to Thursday 14th October, 2025, 11am - 6pm

Contact
Maxence Miglioretti
+33 1 42 99 20 02