Hey, history buffs – this one’s for you! Heritage Malta have announced that 40 replicas of Napoleon’s iconic letter are up for grabs, with all proceeds going to the Malta Community Chest Fund. The first replica was just presented to His Excellency the President of Malta.

The original letter, in which Napoleon commanded General Desaix to start planning the invasion of Malta in 1798, was acquired by Heritage Malta last July for the sum of €60,000. It is currently on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta and will remain there till the end of this month, before finding its permanent place at the Maritime Museum in Birgu where it will be the centrepiece in the newly refurbished section dedicated to the French period in Malta.

To commemorate the acquisition of this historic document which played an important part in shaping our country’s history, Heritage Malta is issuing a limited amount of replicas, each individually numbered, so that their respective buyers may keep a part of our history in their homes whilst contributing to a just cause.

The first replica was presented to His Excellency the President of Malta, Dr George Vella, at San Anton Palace by Heritage Malta Chairman Anthony Scicluna, Executive Director Mario Cutajar, Chief Executive Officer Noel Zammit, Chief Operations Officer Kenneth Gambin, and Principal Curator at the Maritime Museum Liam Gauci.

Mr Noel Zammit said that following the public’s enthusiastic response to see the original letter, Heritage Malta deemed it fit to offer a unique opportunity through these replicas, whilst doing its part to give a helping hand to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Replicas of Napoleon’s letter are available online and also at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta and the Ġgantija Temples in Gozo.