Frame Size (H x L): 11” x 9.25”
Flag Size (H x L): 5.5” x 4”

Offered is a French tricolor flag, discovered with a memorial card dated August 15, 1873, that narrates a story that weaves together the fabric of France's tumultuous 19th century with the personal grief and political aspirations of the Bonaparte lineage.

The French flag—with its bands of blue, white, and red—stands as an icon of the Republic and a testament to the tumult of revolution. Its roots stretch back to the French Revolution, when in July 1789, after the storming of the Bastille, the ancient regime's white was merged with the blue and red of the Paris militia to form a symbol of unity and the newfound republicanism. Over the years, this emblem has stood as a beacon of liberty, equality, and fraternity—the founding principles of the Republic.

However, the flag's journey through history is as storied as the nation it represents. During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the tricolor was hoisted as a symbol of the revolutionary ideals that had catapulted him to power. It fluttered across Europe as the Grande Armée marched from victory to victory, and it graced the institutions of the Napoleonic state. Later, under Napoleon III, it came to symbolize the Second Empire's modernity and authority, a period marked by industrial expansion, urban transformation, and a fraught relationship with the burgeoning forces of nationalism and republicanism.

The discovery of the tricolor, inscribed with "VIVE NAPOLÉON III," alongside the memorial card, casts the flag not merely as a national emblem but as a personal signifier of loyalty and remembrance. This particular flag, likely used at a tribute to the late emperor, signifies a period of nostalgia for the Bonapartist regime, a time when the tricolor was intertwined with the Emperor's vision for France—a vision abruptly halted by the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent declaration of the Third Republic.

As a piece of political memorabilia, the flag, found with the Prince Imperial's card, becomes a poignant emblem of fidelity to the fallen empire. The Prince's words, encapsulating the gratitude and principles of his father's reign, provide the context needed to understand the flag's presence at such a tribute. It would have been a backdrop to somber commemorations, perhaps held aloft by those who remembered the days of the empire with fondness and who sought to keep the memory of Napoleon III alive in the collective consciousness of the Bonapartist faction.

The significance of the flag is further enriched by its presence at a tribute tied to such a specific date. The Feast of the Assumption, a day steeped in religious and, by extension, monarchical tradition, provided a fitting backdrop for honoring a man who had sought to reconcile the ideas of empire with the republican sentiment of a modern France. It is a reminder of the ebb and flow of French history, where republics rise and fall, emperors come and go, but the flag remains a constant—though its meaning shifts with the tides of time.

The combined narrative of the flag and the card tells a story of a France at the crossroads of its past and future. The tricolor, once a revolutionary standard, then an imperial ensign, now emerged as a symbol of collective memory and a focal point for political and familial loyalty. It is a testament to the flag's enduring ability to embody the values and sentiments of its people—whether they be the revolutionary masses, the imperial guard, or the nostalgic loyalists of a bygone era.

In the folds of the tricolor, one can read the history of France—a history of revolution, of empire, of the aspiration to liberty, and the complex dance of continuity and change. The flag, in its discovery with the memorial card, thus serves not only as a piece of historical evidence but as a reminder of the power of symbols to encapsulate the essence of a nation and the hearts of its people. It is a silent yet resounding affirmation of the unbroken spirit of France, a spirit that, much like the tricolor, endures and adapts, forever woven into the fabric of history.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUDN MATERIAL: TRANSLATION OF THE MEMORIAL CARD

PLEBISCITE
From December 10, 1848
5,434,226 yes

PLEBISCITE
From December 20, 1851
7,473,531 yes

PLEBISCITE
From November 21-22, 1852
7,824,489 yes

PLEBISCITE
From May 8, 1870
7,350,142 yes

AUGUST 15, 1873

I thank you in the name of the Empress and myself for coming to join your prayers with ours, and for not forgetting the path you have arduously traveled a few months ago; I also thank the faithful friends who have sent us from afar numerous testimonies of their affection and their devotion.

As for myself, in exile and near the Emperor's tomb, I meditate on the teachings he left me; I find in the paternal heritage the principle of national sovereignty and the flag that consecrates it.

This principle, the founder of our dynasty summarized it in these words, to which I will always be faithful:

Everything for the People and by the People.

[Signature of Napoleon]

Paris. Ehrmann, photographer, 20, Chaussée d'Antin.
Typ. Monis et Fils, 61, Rue Amelot.

FINAL NOTES
The card's message, attributed to the Prince Imperial, serves not only as a eulogy to his father but also as a solemn vow to uphold the Napoleonic ideals of national sovereignty. A plebiscite, as listed at the beginning of the card, is a direct vote by the entire electorate on a specific proposal, often used to decide a critical constitutional or political question. This process, employed significantly during the Napoleonic era, underscored the principle of direct public participation in governance. The Prince's commitment to "Everything for the People and by the People" reflects a lineage that, despite the tides of political change, remained dedicated to the welfare of France. It is this dedication that resonates with the symbolism of the flag found beside it, a remembrance of the past and a pledge for the future.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash. The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This flag is in a Birdseye Maple frame, dating to the middle of the 19^th century.  

Condition Report: There are minor stains and small spots across the surface of the flag. These are consistent with its age and do not detract from the overall integrity and appeal of the piece.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1864-1867
Number of Stars: 36
Associated War: Civil War (1861-1865)
Associated State: Nevada