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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/23
Former ReferenceD5459/1/153
TitleThe Arch-duke Charles and his Corsican Crocodile!!
Date[1800-1809]
DescriptionThe archduke, wearing a cocked hat holds a chain attached to the collar of a crocodile. The crocodile is wearing a crown and crying.

The archduke announces:
"This ladies and gentlemen, is the real Corsican Crocodile, -_ lately caught on the banks of the Danube, _ he is very fond of wandering _ only observe his tears, he is a complete deception, _ what is very extraordinary an old hat he wore on the Island of Corsica, is changed to an Imperial Crown but lately it has been observed to be tottering." Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationArch-duke Charles of Austria (1771-1847) inflicted a defeat on Napoleon at Aspern-Essling in 1809, it is probably to this that the description of the Imperial crown 'tottering' refers.

Napoleon is shown as a crocodile because of their insincerity (crocodile tears) and, it has been suggested, because of their association with Egypt, where Napoleon had begun campaigning in 1798
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 346 x 255 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Related MaterialFor more depictions of Napoleon see D5459/1/91 etc. For more on the battle at Aspern Essling see D5459/1/93/19
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The Arch-duke Charles and his Corsican Crocodile!!

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Place (click for further details)Type
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