Envelope in French signed by Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew Napoleon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte (1822-1891) as "S.A.I. le P: Napoleon," a partial acronym for his official title "Son Altesse Imperiale le Prince Napoleon," or "His Imperial Highness, Prince Napoleon," in the lower left corner. The envelope, which bears an embossed red wax seal verso, is addressed "To Monsieur. Mr. Felix Bachiochi [sic] / 1st chamberlain of H.M. the Emperor," at the Tuileries Palace, Paris, France, ca. 1852-1866. Accompanied by an Imprimerie Lemercier Rue de Seine print of Prince Napoleon, ca. 1861. The envelope is letter-opened verso. The print shows edge toning and isolated foxing, measuring 6.25" x 10".
Prince Napoleon, or Plon-Plon, as he was familiarly known, was Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew. He was the second son of Napoleon's youngest brother Jerome Bonaparte (1784-1860), who had served as King of Westphalia between 1807-1813. Prince Napoleon's cousin Louis-Napoleon (1808-1873) had overthrown the Second Republic and named himself Emperor Napoleon III in 1852; hence the Emperor of this scenario.
Prince Napoleon was a complex figure. Despite his royal lineage, title, duties, and residence, Prince Napoleon was a left-leaning republican who befriended Polish nationalist poet Adam Mitzkievitch (1798-1855) and Zionist activist Armand Levy (1827-1891) among others.
Count Felix Bachiocchi (1803-1866) was Emperor Napoleon III's cousin. As first chamberlain, he was responsible for such duties as drawing up guest lists. He also acted as Director of Court Spectacles, and Director of Imperial Theaters.