103 - LE CORBUSIER.

LE CORBUSIER. A Headquarters. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, [1947]. — In-4, 244 x 188: (4 ff.), 80 pp. Publisher’s hardcover, with illustrated dust jacket. First edition. In this programmatic work, Le Corbusier sets forth his vision for the UN headquarters based on the functions outlined in the Athens Charter—living, working, cultivating body and mind, and moving about—describes his Model 23A and the grouping of the three buildings (Secretariat, General Assembly, and annexes for the “Special Agencies”), and summarizes his disputes with the Board of Design led by Wallace Harrison. Published while the Committee of Ten Experts was still at work, this book was the centerpiece of the case with which Le Corbusier asserted his authorship of the project against Harrison. The edition is illustrated with numerous diagrams reproduced within the text and as full-page illustrations. A rare copy enriched with a signed autograph dedication from the author to Alexandre Parodi (1901–1979), France’s representative to the UN: “To Mr. Parodi, // defender of the French position // on architecture in this // UN matter, which may // be—or may not be—an extraordinary // event // with my warmest regards // Le Corbusier // N.Y., May ’47” Alexandre Parodi (1901–1979), Companion of the Liberation, general delegate of the CFLN in occupied France in 1944 and later Minister of Labor, had been France’s permanent representative to the United Nations Security Council since 1946. In 1947, he was therefore, right there in New York, one of the key diplomatic figures involved in the headquarters project, at a time when Le Corbusier was seeking UN support for his cause. A very well-preserved copy, complete with the dust jacket, which has a few minor, insignificant tears. Provenance: Alexandre Parodi, sent directly by the author.