A+O's June 29 auction of Napoleonic material is generating international interest. The collection of works by Denzil Ibbetson (1785 - 1857) features many images of Napoleon and life on the island of St. Helena but perhaps the single most important item is Denzil Ibbetson's diary which commences on August 3, 1815, just a few days before Napoleon and his entourage sailed from Torbay in England.
Pictured here are a few pages from the diary which details amongst many anecdotes and first hand observations of the deposed Emperor a conversation in which Napoleon discussed invading England. The entry on August 7 reads... 'Napoleon talked of invading England with 200 000 infantry & 6000 cavalry but was uncertain of the disposition of the people of England, whether they would be for or against, as he had been induced to believe at the time a great many would join him.'
A complete transcript of the diary is being prepared and will be available by June 4.
