Brass and leatherDimensions: 7 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 3 inches (18.2 x 29 x 8 cm)Handmade display caseThis 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....