A lock of Emperor Napoleon I's hair, contained in a folded paper annotated in pen "N.B" contained in another folded paper annotated in the hand of Comte MARCHAND "Cheveux de l'Empereur". 9 x 4 cm. B.E. Provenance: -Gift of Louis Joseph Marchand, first valet to Emperor Napoleon I. -Collection of academician Robert de Flers, then descendants. Biography: Louis-Joseph-Narcisse Marchand (1791-1876). In 1811, he entered the service of the Imperial Household as an apartment boy, where his intelligence and dedication were quickly recognized. He later followed the Emperor to St. Helena. Serving as a nurse, taking care of his master's toilet, clothes and food, he was also a reader, copyist and secretary. As early as 1817, concerned about the state of the deposed sovereign, he wrote: "The emperor's health was visibly deteriorating, and it was only his great moral strength that enabled him to endure the troubles of captivity. "Efficient, deeply devoted, the services he rendered me are those of a friend", Napoleon wrote in his will. So much so that, on his deathbed, Napoleon awarded him the title of Count, a title confirmed by Napoleon III in 1869.