One of Napoleon's Hats Could Fetch 600,000 Euros At Auction In Paris

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- Tilsit: Napoleon, Alexander I of Russia, Queen Louise of Prussia, and Frederick William III in Tilsit, 1807. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaties_of_Tilsit
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- Napoleon Bonaparte. Felt bicorne is part of sale at Sotheby’s in Paris to mark bicentenary of Napoleon’s death. The Guardian, July 15, 2021.

One of Napoleon’s distinctive black felt bicorne hats, perhaps worn during his army’s crushing defeat of Russia in 1807, is to appear at auction. Sotheby’s in Paris on Thursday announced it would commemorate the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death with a sale dedicated to a man who still splits opinion. Should he be celebrated as a brilliant military strategist, or damned as a ruthless warmongering dictator?

According to the auction house he is an emperor “whose extraordinary destiny continues to fascinate on every continent, 200 years after his passing”.

The star lot of the auction is a bicorne which, it is thought, travelled with Napoleon throughout his triumphant campaign of 1807. It is believed to have been worn by him as he signed the peace treaties of Tilsit that carved up continental Europe into different zones of French and Russian influence.

The hat was bought in 1814 by the politician and aristocrat Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, who had become somewhat obsessed by Napoleon. Shaw-Stewart brought it back to his family estate in Ardgowan, Scotland, and it was passed down from generation to generation.

Only 19 bicornes have been identified as belonging to Napoleon, many of them in museum collections. Its sale in September comes with an estimate of €400,000 to €600,000 (£341,000 to £512,000). Napoleon died aged 51 in exile on the British island of Saint Helena in May 1821. His last words were: “France, l’armée, tête d’armée, Joséphine …” (France, the army, head of the army, Joséphine)...
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/15/one-of-napoleons-hats-could-fetch-600000-at-auction


- At the Met Museum in NY years ago, I saw an exhibit with Napoleon artifacts- his campaign tent, writing desk, great coat, bicorne hat, more. Impressive collection.