'The hat in itself represented the emperor's image,' auction house expert Jean-Pierre Osenat told AFP ahead of the sale. Napoleon is believed to have owned around 120 such hats in total over 15 years, most of which are now lost. The final price for the hat, including all charges, was more than double the estimate of 600,000 to 800,000 euros, and nearly four times the reserve price, the auction house based in Fontainebleau, south of Paris, said. Other Napoleon memorabilia from the Noisiez collection also went on the block, including a Legion of Honour medal and a pair of silver spurs owned by Napoleon. It was last owned by businessman Jean-Louis Noisiez, who died last year.
