French letter opener with Napoleon standing on an eagle and a mother of pearl leaf handle. The handle has a stanhope lens with an image and the text: Je désire que mes cendres reposent sur les bords de la Seine, au milieu de ce peuple francais que j'ai tant aimé. Napoléon Bonaparte Stanhopes or stanho-scopes are optical instruments which make it possible to view microscopic photos without using a microscope. It was and invention by René Dagron in 1857. Dragon avoided the use of a microscope by placing the micro photos on a custom Stanhope lens. The blade has damage to the tip and sits loosely in the handle, otherwise in good condition. Length 14.5 cm Shipped with track and trace via PostNL.