Emperor Napoleon III’s walking stick Made of Malacca rattan. Iron ferrule. ‘Milord’ pommel in pale horn (with small insect holes). Bears an old label written in pen: ‘Cane having belonged to His Majesty Emperor Napoleon III, given by him to Mr HYRVAIX, head of his personal police, after a walk taken with him in the Bois de Boulogne whilst the works were in progress. Presented by Mr HYRVAIX to Mis Et de GIRARDIN’ Length: 84 cm. A.B.E. Circa 1855. Whilst the Marquises de Girardin were close to Bonapartist circles, the Marquis referred to here is probably Ernest de Girardin (1801–1874), a Member of Parliament and supporter of Louis Napoléon Bonaparte during the coup d’état of 1851. (Expert: Arnaud de Gouvion St Cyr)