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Napoleon's hat most expensive ever sold at auction

Is it possible to spend over $2 million on a hat? The answer is "yes" if the hat once belonged to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. An iconic hat that Napoleon is famous for was sold at an auction this week for $2.1 million. This is a record for a hat, so it is the most expensive piece of headwear ever sold. The auction sale broke the previous record for a hat, which was $2 million. That hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian said Napoleon liked hats and owned around 120 of them. This week's record-breaking hat is made of felt and has the red, white and blue colours of the French flag on it. Experts say it dates back to the early 1800s. Thousands of artists have created paintings of Napoleon wearing it.

Napoleon is one of France's most famous historical figures. He was a general who played a key part in the French Revolution of 1787-1799. He helped to take over the French government, and then became emperor of France in 1804. His reign as emperor came to an end in 1815 after he lost the Battle of Waterloo to the British. He was sent to live on a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean called St. Helena. He died there six years later in 1821, aged 51. The auction of his hat coincides with the release of a new Hollywood movie about his rise to power, and his relationship with the empress Josephine. The movie is called "Napoleon". It is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine.

Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

possible / spend / hat / emperor / auction / record / historian / flag / artists / painting / historical figures / general / revolution / government / battle / remote island / movie

True / False

1) A hat worn by Napoleon Bonaparte sold for $2.5 million. T / F

2) The previous record for a hat was one worn by Julius Caesar. T / F

3) The hat that was sold comes from the beginning of the 19th century. T / F

4) The article says thousands of artists have painted Napoleon with his hat. T / F

5) Napoleon Bonaparte became the French emperor in 1815. T / F

6) Bonaparte was sent by the British to live on a South Pacific island. T / F

7) Bonaparte died at the age of 51. T / F

8) A movie about Napoleon is directed by Joaquin Phoenix. T / F

Discussion

1) What do you think about what you read?

2) Do you have a favourite hat?

3) What do you know about Napoleon?

4) What do you think of auctions?

5) Have you ever used online auctions like eBay?

6) Would you like to see the movie 'Napoleon'?

7) Do we need hats?

8) What questions would you like to ask the auction house?