François, Marquis de BEAUHARNAIS, Brother-in-law of JOSÉPHINE, Uncle of Prince EUGÈNE, Deputy of the Nobility to the Estates-General by the City of PARIS; emigrated; rallied to Bonaparte who appointed him Ambassador to Etruria and then to Spain. (La Rochelle 1756 - Paris 1846) - LETTER A. S. S. at the time of his appointment as Ambassador to SPAIN - MADRID August 5, 1809 - to Mme de LAUBESPIN - 1p in-4° - "Madame, I have received the letter and the memorandum... I would take the greatest interest in doing you justice. However, I must not let you ignore the fact that the Treasury's shortage is very considerable..."

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.