History of Napoleon's body parts stolen

• History of Napoleon's stolen body parts

In 1977, Napoleon Bonaparte's penis cut off (or, at least, that is to be made) paid totally fabulous sum in those days - 3000 dollars. However, the way that this exhibit has done during its existence, perhaps even more surprising.

It is believed that the penis cut off the doctor who conducted the autopsy of Napoleon. Then, doctors (and there were several) is not only the cause of death of the commander - a cancer of the stomach, but also cut out the heart and stomach. These bodies were placed in a silver vase and buried with the Emperor in the sarcophagus, which is now in Paris Invalides.

However, it is believed that the doctor cut off then not only these two bodies and Napoleon ... is not completely buried. Open the sarcophagus of one at the moment does not allow, so to speculate on this topic can be infinite. Anyway, the story of the exhibit states that if the doctor Francesco Antommarki furtively by other doctors also cut Napoleon's penis, and hid him from his colleagues. At least, this is the valet of Napoleon wrote in his memoirs.

The sarcophagus, which houses the body of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Further mention of Napoleon's penis appears in the statements of the Abbé Vignali living in Corsica. He argued that it has a part of personal belongings of the commander, and thus a very important organ. After the death of the abbot still state, including this collection of rarities, the abbot passed sister. Her sister - her son. And he, Charles-Marie Dzhianettini in 1916 made a complete list of all the relics, which he inherited from his uncle.

Photos provided by Tony Perrottetem.

this collection was quite impressive, and the Charles decided that enough to pass it by inheritance, it is time to give the cause of progress and exchange it for a decent amount. So penis was, among other things, sold by booksellers Maggs brothers and traveled across the continent to London. The brothers also were not relics at home and sold it again - it has acquired a well-known company that sells books. Then, in 1924, the purchase cost of 400 pounds, which was an impressive amount. It was then that the penis was first presented to the public display - put it at the Museum of French Art in New York.

The statue of Napoleon Bonaparte.

20 years later, the company re-sold to an American collector Donald penis Hajdu - and it's a small exhibit set off across the Atlantic to another continent. Another quarter of a century later, after the death of Donald, his widow sold the relic (as well as other exhibits from the collection of personal belongings of Napoleon) to another collector - Bruce Gimelsonu.

Napoleon in 1806. Fragment (XIX century).

Bruce Gimelson also decided to sell his possessions and put them up for auction Christie's, however, he refused to sell his collection of parts, asking for all the fabulous price. The auction did not go to such a deal, and Gimelson tried independently to find a buyer for all this stuff. Alas, to no avail. Even the French government refused to buy his personal belongings of Napoleon - whether the proof of origin were not convincing enough, whether the price was not very adequate. One way or another, nearly a decade of unsuccessful attempts to sell the collection led Gimelsona yet to solve to divide it into parts and sold separately exhibits. For everything about everything, he received 100 thousand dollars.

The Death of Napoleon. Charlie de Stubb (1828).

Then the penis bought American urologist John Lattimer - it was he who paid him $ 3,000. As he spoke, he did not want to unscrupulous people hurt this important historical relics. Lattimer kept the penis in a specially created for this exhibit glass casket until his death (2007). Bag This was under the bed the doctor, and to avoid the gossip of those "unscrupulous people" Lattimer flatly refused to show the penis Napoleon strangers.

Napoleon on his deathbed. Vernet (1826).

After the death of Napoleon's penis Lattimer was inherited by the daughter of the doctor who has decided not to stand on ceremony with these precious exhibit and sell it. It requested $ 100 thousand (compared to 3000, for which it was purchased) - and it was not the amount of the entire collection, but only for himself the penis. At the same time do a DNA analysis, which today is already possible to make and, accordingly, it is possible to confirm whether this exhibit really is what it is claimed, she refused. Is it any wonder then, that buyers in such a questionable purchase is not found?

Rarity - alleged penis of Napoleon Bonaparte.

One of the few who saw this exhibit with our own eyes, has become Tony Perrottet, author of a biography of Napoleon. In his book, he described the relic as "very small, just the size of a finger of the child, a piece of wrinkled skin of beige color with whitish streaks." After such "advertising" in this exhibit, it may be even less potential customers.