Eiffel Inscribes an Original Eiffel Tower Handbill to the Man Who Designed It
An important association between the namesake of the Eiffel Tower and his engineer who concepted it, Mr. Koechlin.
On May 2, 1886, the Centennial Exposition Committee invited French architects and engineers to submit building designs for the upcoming World Exposition in Paris, which was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Despite a short deadline, more than 100 proposals poured in. The first prize went to the firm...
On May 2, 1886, the Centennial Exposition Committee invited French architects and engineers to submit building designs for the upcoming World Exposition in Paris, which was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Despite a short deadline, more than 100 proposals poured in. The first prize went to the firm of Gustave Eiffel, which submitted a design proposed by one of the engineers in Eiffel’s office, Maurice Koechlin. While the committee was considering designs, Eiffel made a compelling case for his 300-meter iron tower. Civilizations had been building with stone for centuries, Eiffel argued, and the only way to truly symbolize France ‘s significant technological and economic progress was with a new material: metal. In describing his vision, Eiffel said that only metal could make the tower “seem to spring out of the ground…” The actual construction began in early 1887, and Koechlin worked closely with Eiffel on the important project.
By the start of 1889, the project was close to completed, and all that remained were a few finishing touches. Preparations for the Expo proceeded, and handbills were printed up with some facts about the Eiffel Tower, to be handed out to visitors when it opened. The tower would in fact be inaugurated on March 31, 1889, and it opened to the public on May 6.
On New Year’s Day 1889, standing before their beautiful creation – what was the tallest structure in the world, and one symbolizing progress – Eiffel and Koechlin felt immense satisfaction. Eiffel took one of the original handbills and inscribed it to Koechlin as follows: “To M. Maurice Koechlin, a memento from G. Eiffel, the 1st of January 1889.”
Today the Eiffel Tower is one of the recognizable and beloved structures in the world, and a symbol of France. Autographs of Eiffel on anything concerned with the tower are very rare, and this fine one inscribed to the man who concepted and designed the tower is unique.
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