Emperor Maximilian's waistcoat

The waistcoat worn by Emperor Maximilian of Mexico when he faced the firing squad at Querétaro on 19 June 1867.

Many of the crowned heads of Europe and other prominent figures, including eminent liberals Victor Hugo and Giuseppe Garibaldi, sent telegrams pleading for his life to be spared, but Juárez refused to commute the sentence, intending to send a message that Mexico would not tolerate any government imposed by a foreign power.

Photographed originally in Mexico by François Aubert, copied in Paris by Disdéri, and published by Auguste Klein of Paris.