Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most iconic figures in history, known for his military prowess, political achievements, and cultural impact.
As a result, memorabilia related to Napoleon is highly sought after by collectors.
In this blog post, we take a look at 10 of the most valuable pieces of Napoleon Bonaparte memorabilia that have been sold at auction.
1. The Sword of Napoleon:
One of the most valuable pieces of Napoleon memorabilia is his sword, which he used in many of his battles. The sword was sold at auction in 2007 for $6.5 million, making it the most expensive piece of Napoleon memorabilia ever sold.
2. The Bicorn Hat:
Napoleon is famous for his distinctive bicorn hat, and several of his hats have been sold at auction. The most expensive of these was sold for $2.4 million in 2014.
3. The Château de Malmaison Desk:
Napoleon used this desk at his residence in Château de Malmaison, and it has since become a valuable collectible. The desk was sold at auction in 2007 for $563,500.
4. The Death Mask:
The death mask of Napoleon, made shortly after his death, is a haunting and iconic artifact. It was sold at auction in 2004 for $99,450.
5. The Waterloo Medal:
The Waterloo Medal was awarded to British soldiers who fought in the Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon was defeated. One of the rare medals awarded to a British officer who fought against Napoleon sold for $62,500 in 2015.
6. Napoleon's Waistcoat:
A blue silk waistcoat worn by Napoleon was sold at auction in 2013 for $36,000. The waistcoat was part of a set of clothes worn by Napoleon during his exile on St. Helena.
7. The Battle of Austerlitz Map:
The Battle of Austerlitz was one of Napoleon's most famous victories, and a map of the battlefield was sold at auction in 2018 for $31,250.
8. Napoleon's Hair:
Locks of Napoleon's hair have become collectible items, with some selling for thousands of dollars. A lock of his hair was sold at auction in 2018 for $13,750.
9. Napoleon's Snuffbox:
Napoleon was a heavy user of snuff, and he often carried a snuffbox with him. One of his snuffboxes was sold at auction in 2016 for $12,500.
10. Napoleon's Chair:
Napoleon's chair, which he used during his time in exile on St. Helena, was sold at auction in 2014 for $11,875.
Napoleon Bonaparte memorabilia is highly prized by collectors, and the items on this list are just a small sample of the wide range of pieces available.
From his famous sword and bicorn hat to personal items like his snuffbox and hair, these items offer insights into the life and legacy of one of the most iconic figures in history.
These ten pieces of Napoleon Bonaparte memorabilia sold at auction for thousands and even millions of dollars, demonstrating the enduring interest in this legendary figure and his impact on the world.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.