Napoleon Was Never Short. His Bust Is 10 Inches Tall.

Ask anyone what they know about Napoleon Bonaparte, and they'll probably say he was short. It's one of the most repeated facts in history, and it's wrong.

The myth of the little emperor

When Napoleon died, his height was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches. Those were French feet and inches, which were longer than English ones. Converted, he stood about 5 feet 7 inches, average or slightly above for a Frenchman of his day.

The myth had help. British cartoonists, who had every reason to mock him, loved drawing him as a tantrum-throwing little man. His soldiers' affectionate nickname for him, le petit caporal ("the little corporal"), sounded like a joke about his size, but it was really about fondness. He also tended to stand next to his Imperial Guard, who were picked partly for their height. It's no surprise that the legend stuck.

The real Napoleon rose from a minor Corsican family to emperor of the French. He redrew the map of Europe, and his Napoleonic Code still shapes the legal systems of many countries. Whatever you think of him, he was not small.

The bust

Our bust gives the emperor some presence. It stands 10 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 4.25 inches deep. That's big enough to anchor a bookshelf and serious enough for a study or office. We print it in fine detail to capture his unmistakable features, and then brush it by hand with a gold-leaf finish that catches the light.

It works well for:

• History teachers and professors who want a classroom showpiece
• European history buffs and military history readers
• Studies, home offices and libraries that need a statement piece
• Collectors building a shelf of great figures

Pair him with a president

He also looks right next to our silver-brushed Abraham Lincoln bust. That pairing puts a 6'4" president beside a 5'7" emperor, which is a story your guests will ask about.

For more busts, figurines and curiosities, see our 3D printed guide.