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Princess Caraboo and Napoleon by Fortunino Matania
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Princess Caraboo and Napoleon by Fortunino Matania
Mary Baker (n饠 Willcocks) (1791-1864) a Devonshire cobblers daughter and noted impostor. Posing as the fictional Princess Caraboo, Baker pretended to be from a far off island kingdom inveigling herself into society. Pictured here even managing to dupe Napoleon - she stopped at St. Helena on her way to Philadelphia and such was the romance of her highly-coloured story, the ex-Emperor was stirred to kiss her. Date: 1945
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Media ID 14413288
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1945 Baker Dec16 Exotic Fictional Fortunino Helena Hudson Impostor Kissing Lowe Matania Napoleon Imposter Willcocks
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In this intriguing photograph print, we find an extraordinary encounter between Princess Caraboo, a Devonshire cobbler's daughter and noted impostor, and the former Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Mary Baker (née Willcocks), born in 1791, gained notoriety in 1834 when she claimed to be a princess from the fictional island kingdom of Jervasu, located in the Indian Ocean. Her highly-coloured stories of exotic lands and royal lineage captivated the British public, and she was soon invited to meet with many prominent figures of the time. During her travels, Princess Caraboo stopped at St. Helena, where she managed to inveigle herself into the company of the incarcerated Napoleon. The allure of the exotic and the romance of her tale proved irresistible to the former Emperor, who was known for his fascination with the world beyond his island prison. In this image by renowned Italian artist Fortunino Matania, we see Napoleon bending to kiss the hand of the supposed princess, a testament to the power of her deception. The photograph print, created in 1945, showcases the intrigue and allure of Princess Caraboo's story, which continued to captivate the public long after her death in 1864. The image serves as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling and the human desire to believe in the extraordinary. Mary Evans Prints Online is proud to offer this Rights Managed image for use in various projects, providing a unique and intriguing visual element to bring history to life. Whether for a book, exhibition, or educational resource, this image offers a glimpse into the past and the fascinating tale of Princess Caraboo and her encounter with Napoleon.
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