The Eiffel tower opened in
1889, during the Universal Exposition, a fair celebrating the 100th
anniversary of the French Revolution. In 1983, they renovated the Tower: they
removed some parts of the staircase and elevators replaced them.
Eiffel Tower officials sold 20 of these
parts in 1983. Most are still with their first owners. Other parts
can be seen in museums in Paris, in eastern France, in Japan,
and near the Statue of Liberty.
Artcurial’s Art Deco department in
Paris will sell a 14-step section of the historic staircase next
month.
It connected the second and third
floors. It is 2.75 meters high and 1.75 meters wide. Buyers
will need a lot of money — and a big house — to keep it. Experts say it
will cost between $140,000 and $175,000.
Artcurial associate director said the
staircase section is “more than just a piece of history. It’s an immersive
experience, a trip through time and space. Imagine yourself in 1889 on this
staircase, between 113 and 276 meters high, with no safety barriers, but with a
360-degree view of Paris.”
Artcurial sold other sections before. The
record sale was section 13, which was in very good conditions – like the one
they are offering now. A Chinese unidentified collector bought it for about
$612,000 in 2016.
From ScrippNews (edited)
