This brass plate of the French Imperial Eagle belonged to a member of Napoleon III’s 42nd Infantry Regiment. Miraculously, it is still affixed to a substantial part of its leather shako, whose stitching and buttons are still apparent despite its provenance being a shipwreck. This item presents a unique opportunity to own a piece of world history, as it is very rare to find a plare still attached to such a large and well-preserved piece of leather.
The shako is from the wreck of the SS General Abbatucci, which was a 282-ton cargo steamship. On the 13th of May 1869, she left Marseilles for Civitavecchia, Italy, to deliver several million French francs to Pope Pius IX for his birthday, as well as pay for the French Army in Italy. A number of wealthy merchants and dignitaries were on board, as well as the Pontifical Consul and guards who had been representing the Pope in Marseilles. Unfortunately, the Abbatuci never reached Civitavecchia - it collided with a 500-ton Norwegian ship just off of the coast of Corsica, sinking within two hours of being hit. 16 soldiers and 15 Papal recruits died, as well as 23 passengers and crew members. The Captain and 54 others survived and were taken the rest of the way to Italy by another sailing ship.
The wreck was presumed lost until it was discovered in May 1996.
