369 - EIFFEL TOWER

EIFFEL TOWER A significant collection related to the restoration campaigns of the Eiffel Tower in the second half of the 20th century, comprising: - two cast-iron beam sections, 42 cm long and 28.5 cm long; - two cast-iron girder fragments, engraved with the numbers 2912 and 2932, each stamped with a seal bearing the inscriptions “Eiffel Tower” and “Authentic Piece,” in their original cases, L. 14 cm; - three paint samples from the 17th painting campaign of the Eiffel Tower, provided by the Freitag Seigneurie company, in blue and brown; - eleven cast-iron rivets (partially rusted); - one rivet cast into a block of Plexiglas; - one rivet and one lantern from the Eiffel Tower, each displayed on a separate wooden pedestal; - a model of one of the Eiffel Tower’s pillars awarded to engineer Michel Guinchard, resting on a circular wooden base with a cartouche engraved with his name and dated “1971–1996,” H. 40 x D. 24.5 cm; - plans, documentation, and photos from the Eiffel Tower construction site. Included are biographical documents on Gustave Eiffel as well as reports on the major construction work on the monument; - two framed photographs of drawings of the Eiffel Tower; - and a large collection of posters related to Gustave Eiffel’s work. Provenance Michel Guinchard, an engineer who participated in the construction of the Eiffel Tower between 1971 and 1996. History Erected for the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower represents the culmination of Gustave Eiffel’s research on tall steel structures. Originally conceived as an engineering feat intended to mark the centennial of the French Revolution, it has gradually established itself as a symbol of French heritage. To ensure its longevity, the “Iron Lady” has undergone regular paint maintenance campaigns, modernization efforts, and major maintenance work since its construction. In this context, the late 20th century marked an important milestone in the building’s modernization, particularly to accommodate growing tourist demand. Between 1971 and 1996, the Eiffel Tower’s weight was reduced by 10% through the removal of numerous steel beams. Its floors were redesigned, notably to house the famous gourmet restaurant Le Jules Verne, and its dilapidated elevators and staircases were renovated or replaced.