A helping hand through the sale of Napoleon’s letter replicas

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A helping hand through the sale of Napoleon’s letter replicas

Napoleon's letter

Photo: Heritage Malta

An original letter by Napoleon, documenting the orders given to his General Desaix to spearhead the invasion of Malta in 1798, was exhibited free of charge at the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta.

Following the acquisition of the document, Heritage Malta came up with the idea of offering the public a unique opportunity to keep a part of history in their homes, whilst simultaneously contributing to a good cause. They issued a limited amount of replicas for sale, each individually numbered, and announced that the profits would be donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Photo: Heritage Malta

As stated by Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta’s CEO, the initiative proved to be very successful in harnessing both the local and foreign public’s unrelenting interest in our islands’ rich history, and making good use of it.

Liam Gauci, the Principle Curator at the Malta Maritime Museum, presented the President of Malta with the proceeds from the sale of the first 40 replicas, as well as some of Heritage Malta’s recent additions to its collection. This included 10 other contemporary letters documenting key exchanges between British fleet Admiral Sir John Orde and the Admiralty, which further consolidate the storyline and enrich the value of the letter in question.

The letter will take its place as the centerpiece in the French period section at the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, once the extensive and ongoing works are completed.

A limited number of replicas of Napoleon’s letter are indeed still available for purchase online, as well as at the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta. Get yours here.