PREMIER EMPIRE, Exceptional Croix d'Officier de la Légion d' - Lot 84

PREMIER EMPIRE, Exceptional Croix d'Officier de la Légion d'Honneur, Napoléon 1er second type Premier Empire in gold From the family of Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Gayol, 1st drummer to the Emperor in 1803, decorated in the first promotion of the Legion of Honor and youngest drummer of the First Empire. This medal is of the second type, with a crown of 12 palmettes that becomes mobile, and balls at the points of the star's rays (an evolution of the second type). The center of the rays features, on one side, the Emperor's laurelled head turned to the right on a radiant background, "NAPOLEON EMP DES FRANCAIS", and on the other, the imperial eagle, head contoured (to the left) and walking on a thunderbolt, "HONNEUR ET PATRIE". Awarded as of April 1806 Enclosed is a copy of a letter from the curator of the Musée National de la Légion d'Honneur providing information on Jean Baptiste GAYOL's background and honors. Marked cock, gross weight: 11g Length: 57mm Enamel chips. Provenance: Although Jean-Baptiste Gayol was a priori only a legionnaire and not an officer of the Legion of Honor, this Cross was kept in his family. FROM YOUNGEST DRUMMER OF THE REVOLUTION TO ONE OF THE EMPEROR'S FIRST LEGIONNAIRES Born in Roquebrune sur Argens in 1777, Jean Baptiste Gayol joined the revolutionary wars as a drummer under Masséna at the age of 13 and a half. He later distinguished himself in Bonaparte's ranks during the Italian campaign, taking part in the Battle of Arcole. He then followed the general in the Egyptian campaign, taking part in the battle of Aboukir, but was wounded at the siege of Saint-Jean-d'Acre, where he distinguished himself by his bravery. He then became a corporal in the Emperor's bodyguard. In 1802 (Pluviôse 23, year X), he received a distinction from the First Consul: Brevet d'Honneur à deux baguettes d'argent. He then joined the 2nd brigade of veterans and became a legionnaire by right in the First Promotion of the Legion of Honor on September 24, 1803. On August 16, 1804, at the Camp de Boulogne, the ceremony of the 1st Promotion of the Legion of Honor, created on May 19, 1802, took place. It comprised 7 Grand Officers, 16 cohorts of 50 officers and 350 legionnaires, including Jean Baptiste, as a knight and not an officer.