The auction of a hat used by the French emperor and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte is set to take place in Paris, the capital of France, according to local time. The auction organizers estimate that the hat could be sold for as much as 7 to 10 crore (70-100 million) rupees. Historians say that this hat was Napoleon’s ‘trademark’ attire. Whether on the battlefield or in a military or civilian gathering, the person wearing this hat was instantly recognized as Napoleon. He had around 120 such hats, but only about 20 of them remain today, mostly in private collections.
Apart from the hat, other items from Napoleon’s era, including some from his reign in the 19th century, are also set to be auctioned. These items include Napoleon’s horse-drawn carriage, a special type of bag made of wood, swords, a ruby toothbrush, and various memorabilia.
Jules Noizet, an art collector, had gathered these memorabilia. The hat was initially collected by Colonel Pierre Beal, who served as the Quarter-Master of Napoleon’s administration. Jules Noizet later acquired it. For nearly half a century, he collected these items before his death last year.
The French auction house Osenat has taken charge of auctioning Napoleon’s hat and other memorabilia. Jean-Pierre Osenat, the head of the auction house, said that those who collect Napoleon’s memorabilia eagerly await the opportunity to acquire this hat. There are about 20 such hats in existence, with 15 of them stored in various museums. This means that only four or five hats are held in private collections.
