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A small private Napoleonic collection in Sydney, Australia
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WELCOME
My interest in the Napoleonic period started some 25 years ago
when a friend, knowing I had more than a passing interest in
history, gave me the book 'The Reluctant King' - Joseph
Bonaparte, King of the Two Sicilies and Spain. After reading
the first few pages I knew I was hooked and I blame my good
friend to this very day for causing my OBSESSION!
“Thanks again Clive, but why couldn’t you have just given me
a book on gardening??!!”
WHY AM I INTERESTED IN NAPOLEON AND THE
EMPIRE?
That’s a question I get asked a lot, along with the odd
sideways glance and… “Napoleon, wasn’t he really short?”….
(Actually he wasn’t particularly short as most people were
quite a bit shorter back then…) Also I’m 5’ 6” so a lot of people
think there must be some sort of associated link!! But the
reality is, that for me, the fascination comes from being able to
link an object, a book, a sword, or some other item to a period
in history that was both turbulent and destructive, but that was
also responsible for producing some of the most beautiful
items man has ever made. Also, Napoleon’s life was one of
triumphs, to the greatest of heights, and of loss on the largest
of scales….. “Who can’t be just a little bit interested in a story
that beats any modern day TV soap!” For me, Napoleon’s
military career is not the centre of my interest. It's the other
Napoleon that fascinates me…. The guy who built or
resurrected the French Code Civil, the Conseil d'Etat, the
Banque de France, the legion d'honnour….. I see Napoleon not
as a military figure but as someone who created a new system
of government. One that was initially open to anyone with
talent and not based just on supposed birthright!
MY COLLECTION
The word OBSESSION comes to mind again….
Collecting dominates a large part of my life! Not a day goes by
when I am not searching out something, trying to find pictures
similar to an item I might have just seen. Scanning the Net for
items for sale. Doing research on an item... It really is an
obsession…. It keeps me broke. It also at times makes me ‘go
without’ or to make other sacrifices so I can add that 'new'
something to my collection. I can’t see my obsession ever
ending…. It can be a very solitary interest / obsession… 'Well
here in Australia where I live it is'. There are many collectors
of Napoleonic items, but 99.9% of them are overseas! But here
again the Net has helped and so has the kindness of people
like Bernard Chevallier, who recently retired from his role as
director of Malmaison, Napoleon and Josephine's Parisian
home. “Thank you Bernard for you kindness and advice..” (For
anyone interested Bernard has just released a book in English
called ‘Empire Style’ – pub. Thames & Hudson. It’s a beautiful
publication with hundreds of pictures. A real must have!!)
As for the items I have in my collection, I will admit to having a
bit of luck with some of them…. (But there's also the odd horror
story!) But that is what collecting is all about, the research, the
ferreting, the anticipation of receipt of the new purchase, the
display and probably the most fun…. Telling anyone, who has
been interested enough to ask, about the new addition!
AS FOR ME
I am a Kiwi (New Zealander) living in Sydney Australia, where
it sometimes seems a 'million miles' away from where part of
me would love to be - PARIS...... I did have a fantastic stay in
Paris in June 2009 and it was great meeting up with Bernard
Chevallier again!
Thanks for taking the time to view my site and if you feel like
you want to ask any questions I'd be very pleased to hear from
you, just click on the link to go to my contact page!
'Vivat Imperator in aetenum'
Ken
Ken Richards FINS, Sydney, Australia
Contact me
Ps. If you are interested in joining 'Collecting Napoleon'
a web based social network group please contact me
and I'll forward an invitation by email.
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