Plates I Should Have

I watched these plates on an Ebay auction this week.

Sadly, they did not sell.

No one seemed to have $3,500 US to spend this month.

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Napoleon Fabric Find

In my online searching I came across this piece of Napoleon themed fabric. AND even better, the seller was here in Canada. I can't wait to use this fabric. I'll be making buttons with it this weekend!

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Napoleon Time

This is a Swatch watch set I purchased at least ten years ago. It's one of the few "new" Napoleon memorabilia that I had come across that I liked. The graphic art is fantastic. I love Josephine's gown being extended down the plastic watch band.

I have never worn them because I wasn't able to decide which of the two I should put on or if I should wear both at the same time...and how would that look?

I guess it is best to leave them in the box.

Napoleon Postcards

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If I ever come across this set of postcards I am certain that I will buy them. Collecting them would not have been easy. The confused buyer would know that this is Napoleon...but what is that leg doing there?

I imagine you would have concluded that the artist had a major interest in close ups. Here is Nappy with the King of Rome. Will you look at the size of that babies head?


But it would all make sense if you got the whole collection. One day it will be mine.

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Change Didn't Take Too Long With Napoleon

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I have been listening intently to what everyone has been saying about President Obama's big issues in the next year. He sure has a lot on his plate. Surprisingly, everyone has been reinforcing the notion that change will take time. A year, two or even his entire term (noting that re-election campaigning begins in just 24 months.) People seem prepared to give him the necessary time.

When Napoleon invaded Malta he had a lot to do too.

• "Napoleon immediately reorganized the island's government and instituted reforms that would be echoed throughout his career.


• He granted religious freedom to the Jews and tossed out the old feudal system, along with slavery.


• He wrote a modern constitution, reorganized the educational and legal systems, AND


• set up military defences, including a garrison of several thousand French soldiers."

I know this to be true because my quote comes from David Markham's "Napoleon for Dummies." It is my new bible on Napoleon trivia.

Here's the most important point.

Napoleon did all that in ONE WEEK.

I do love an autocratic style of governing.

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Napoleon Home Decorating

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This is a little area dedicated to Napoleon in our house. I am beginning to refer to it as the shrine.

The only thing I have not done is to incorporate one of those perpetual burning candles. I am way too afraid of fire to do that. The bronze statue is a favorite too. Although ever since my five year old niece walked by it and said "hello pirate" I can't seem to to treat is with the same level of respect.

This print may be the item I love the most. We found it in an obscure antique store north of Toronto. Already beautifully framed all we had to do was negotiate to buy it. I don't think the sales person knew who Napoleon was. For me, it was the first time I saw Napoleon with his son. It really is a lovely image. It makes me all the more aware of how lonely Napoleon must have been on Elba. Missing the child he did spend so much time with.

The Parvenu Princesses

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I am reading several books at the same time right now. The one I just finished is called "The Parvenu Princesses." When I saw the book in the store, I actually wondered who they were. The book cover image was so familiar. I realized later that I was attracted to it because it is an illustration of Elisa, Pauline and Caroline Bonaparte from the Coronation painting by David.
I quite like the image.
The book was one of the first that really concentrated on the lives of the sisters. I really have not read too much about them that was complimentary. This book gave me a better sense of their contributions to the First Empire.
I am having trouble adding the word to my vocabulary though. I am itching to use it! There just not seem to be an opportunity to say "well, she/he is so parvenu."

Parvenu: one that has recently or suddenly risen to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power and has not yet gained the prestige, dignity, or manner associated with it.

Napoleon and Food

Another "Napoleon For Dummies" nugget.

In virtually every book I have read on Napoleon they mention him either wolfing down his meals or delaying the timing of his meals. It didn't matter who was present...he ate so fast most people could not keep up. What I didn't know was that he was always like that.
Most of the books I have read focus on the years Napoleon was already in power. Or close to being in power during the Revolution. So reading about the young Napoleon is now on my to-do list.
When he went to the Military School of Paris I had assumed his life was still pretty bleak. After all, there was no money coming from family in Corsica. A student on a scholarship would be forced to always eat in the cafeteria. Worse still, students on a scholarship usually help serve and wash up after meals.
I forgot. It's France. Pre-Revolution.
I now know the school was very upscale.
"The cadets ate five-course meals and had the very best teachers available. Napoleon actually objected to the extravagance of the meals and wrote a lengthy letter to that effect to the Minister of War."
This is a letter I would really like to read.
Napoleon complaining about too much food and the time he had to waste eating it.

Napoleon For Dummies

This is my Napoleon library. Most of my books are here. Some find their way into my studio and on various coffee tables. For the most part, they are all corralled here.

I have not purchased a book in a while. The old editions I like are quite pricey and lately the bookstores don't seem to have much of a French section. Clearly, lots of people collect Napoleon. Ten years ago when I started buying the books I was in New Orleans. Every book store I walked into said that they had some Napoleon books...but that someone had just bought them the day prior. I had visions of a gentlemen walking the same path as me..only he had arrived 24 hours earlier. Since then, when I see a book, I buy it. It won't be there if I go back another day.

But there is a book I can guarantee will be there! It was on my Christmas wish list: Napoleon For Dummies. I don't know why I waited so long to get a copy. The Dummy series are all really well done, and this book is no exception. I am 20 pages in and have already bent down the corners of most of the pages! The author, David Markham writes in a style I love. He's witty and knowledgeable. So many Napoleonic books are dull. Really, they are. I can say that. Those authors seem to be writing for the academic community only. This book is for everyone! If you don't know Napoleon, you will after reading the the very first page: a Cheat Sheet on Napoleon.

But, here is my favorite paragraph so far.

But we remember Napoleon for much more than his accomplishments. We remember him for his brilliance. He was a genius with a breadth of intellect that has seldom been measured. He could, for example, dictate four different letters to four different secretaries at the same time, rotating at a time through each of them, without being reminded where he left off.

This is what I like to learn the most. The everyday life of the genius. The behind the scenes tidbits. How did he got it all done. I can't wait to read more!