This is the ultimate reference to military headgear that appears today on the collector?s market, from the Comb Morion to the Picklehaube, and from the Closed helmet to the Bicorne hat with particular reference to rare Napoleonic headgear. Collectors, dealers and auctioneers from Japan, Belgium, the United States of America, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Malta and Sweden have collaborated to compile this unique collection of photographs of exceptionally rare hats. These include extremely rare and ancient helmets, expensive sixteenth century open-faced helmets, Zischagges, Burgonets, unique eighteenth century headdress, French shakos from the First Empire, neo-classical helmets from the Napoleonic wars, early Spiked helmets from the Crimean war period, Oriental helmets, and First World War headgear. The book is lavishly illustrated with close-up views that assist collectors in identifying aging characteristics. It also places collecting in the context of history, by discussing the employment of the headgear at war. The phenomenon of Internet auctions, replicas, forgeries, and prices are also covered. 380 colour cb/w photos
