Napoleon Bonaparte’s Iconic Hat Fetches $2.1M at Paris Auction

A Napoleon Bonaparte hat auctioned off for more than $2 million in Paris on Sunday, breaking records for the highest price ever paid for one of his hats. The bicorne hat, estimated at $650,000 to $872,000, sold for approximately $2.11 million after a fierce bidding battle. Only around 20 of the 120 hats worn by Napoleon still exist, with only a few in private collections. The hat was worn by Napoleon during his time as emperor and was recovered by Colonel Pierre Baillon, a quartermaster under the emperor. The hat was the centerpiece of an auction of memorabilia collected by French businessman Jean-Louis Noisiez, who passed away last year. Other items in the auction included a Legion of Honor medal and a long-sleeved shirt that belonged to Napoleon.