Own a bit of history and be inspired by the ingenuity of the most famous tower in the world, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. This original is a section of the staircase that was dismantled in 1983.
Whether you choose to incorporate the stairs into your home or office or simply display them, know that you will be preserving both a modern art form and an example of architectural history, not to mention one of the greatest conversation pieces of all time!
The primary attraction at the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower was the tallest manmade structure in the world and remained so for forty years. This section was part of the spiral staircase that connected the third floor (second floor for our French audience) to the top. A treacherous ascent, the staircase was not open to the public. However, a few months before the official inauguration the engineer who designed the tower, Gustav Eiffel, escorted notable celebrities brave enough to adventure step-by-step to the top. To celebrate, the French flag was hung, and Gustav wrote, “The French flag is the only one with a 300-metre pole.”
"I see history as something that's priceless, something that has shaped everything in the world. And we can't relive what's happened in the past, but we can own a piece of the past." - Alexandar Bitar Historical Artifact Dealer.
Extremely rare, this approximate 13’6” section, 12 steps total, is one of the 24 sections of the narrow, winding iron staircase that was dismantled in 1983 as part of a renovation project. Replaced by an elevator, the original staircase was sectioned and sold at auction.
Authenticated and deemed genuine, this is a chance for you to own an historic piece that helped commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution and illustrated to the world the formidable feats humanity could (and would) achieve. Other sections are found around the world in museums and private collections. Public displays include one that is on display at the tower itself and a second near the Statue of Liberty, another of Gustav Eiffel’s designs.
Staircase #6 is mounted on a trailer with a special cradle. The staircase has a plaque from the City of Paris installed on the side with all the significant dates cast in metal.
Excerpts written by current owner
"In the beginning of 1983, the only original spiral staircase that was still in use was the part connecting the second and third floors. This staircase (525 feet high) is exactly the same type that once connected the first and second floors and which went out of use as early as 1900. The staircase that was sold is, therefore, the last and only original one."
"On December 1, 1983 we attended a world-wide auction at the Eiffel Tower and were the only U.S. bidder that was successful in obtaining a section of the spiral staircase for export. Other bidders included Disneyworld of Florida, the City of New York, a New Orleans restaurateur, a French movie star, and a Swiss staircase firm."
"After an official clearance from a subcommittee of the Louvre, the staircase was allowed to leave France in a special ocean container for shipment directly to the Port of Los Angeles. After arriving in Los Angeles, they were transported to the Van Nuys Airport Business Park, and ultimately to us."
Below are photos of the original auction brochure, and taking delivery of the staircase.
Plaque Translation:
"Original staircase Eiffel Tower 1889
sold at public auction on the Eiffel Tower on December 1, 1983
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