BREVET DE GÉNÉRAL DE BRIGADE IN THE NAME OF JEAN-PIERRE GIRARD dit " VIEUX ", CITIZEN On vellum. Vignette and postmark "In the name of the French people". Done in Paris on 8 Germinal Year 9 (29 March 1801) Signatures of Bonaparte (Secretary), Berthier and Hugues Maret. 44 x 35 cm B.E. Biography : Jean Pierre GIRARD dit Vieux (1750-1811). Soldier in the Swiss Guards regiment in 1768, discharged as sergeant in 1780. He then became a watchmaker in Geneva, where he was involved in the political unrest that shook the city in 1780-81, and was sentenced to death in absentia. He re-enlisted in the service of France in 1791, this time as a lieutenant-colonel. Commander of the Département du Léman 1798-99, he fought at Essling and Wagram. He was commander of Pas de Calais from 1801 to 1805, in 1806 and 1808, and from 12 December 1809 until his death. His heart was placed in the Pantheon. Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour 1809. His name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe. Created a baron under the name of Girard dit Vieux by decree of 15 August 1809. Provenance : - Former Napoleonic collection of the Prince's Palace of Monaco (1st sale, lot 132). A brigadier general's certificate