Description:

Bartholdi Frederic

Statue of Liberty fundraising DS appointing Secretary of French Committee 

1pp manuscript letter inscribed in French, and signed by Franco-American Union President Edouard Laboulaye as “The President, Ed. Laboulaye” at bottom. On “Franco-American Union Committee” letterhead, subtitled “Subscription for the Erection of a Commemorative Monument for the 50th anniversary of American Independence”, dated from Paris on May 25, 1877. Blue "Franco-American Union" stamp in bottom left corner. Annotated in English by document recipient Georges Glaenzer at top. In very good to near fine condition. Overall toning and minor mat burn along right edge. Expected paper folds, including horizontal one repaired verso. A few holes do not affect text. Page measures 8.25" x 10.625."

Franco-American Union President Edouard Laboulaye wrote to future Secretary Georges A. Glaenzer: "Sir, The Administrative Committee of the Franco-American Union, in its May 22nd meeting, decided that it must give its thanks for your support of our patriotic cause. It also decided to assign you the serious role of Secretary of the Committee. I am tasked in ratifying this proposition, and I am convinced that your cooperation will be most valuable to the new vigor with which we pursue this project. Be assured, Sir, of the expression of my very distinguished sentiments … "

The Franco-American Union, presided over by its first President Edouard Laboulaye, was established in November 1875 to fundraise for the Statue of Liberty. The Union was comprised of two Committees after 1877, the French and the American, that represented each nation's fundraising efforts. The French enjoyed more fundraising success than their American counterparts, partly because their efforts were more persistent and creative. For example, the French branch of the Franco-American Union sold tickets to Bartholdi's Parisian workshop, charged a fee for scaling the completed head on display at the 1878 Paris Universal Exposition, sold postcards and other souvenirs, held a one-time performance of Charles Gounod's hymn "Liberty Enlightening the World" at the Paris Opera in 1876, and even organized a lottery to generate income. American fundraising efforts languished until jump-started by Joseph Pulitzer's newspaper campaign.

Statue of Liberty sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) studied painting, sculpture, and architecture under well-known instructors like Viollet-le-Duc in Paris. Following his service in the Franco-Prussian War, Bartholdi became increasingly interested in sculpting monumental works celebrating resistance against oppression, and Enlightenment ideals like Freedom. Bartholdi later designed the “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.” The fundraising phase of this process would take years, and indeed long surpass the actual 100th anniversary of the United States. Yet once it was installed in New York in 1886, the massive 151-ft tall copper-clad sculpture of a standing woman would fundamentally change the cityscape.

Georges Auguste Glaenzer (1848-1915) was one of the people who made the project possible. Glaenzer was a member of the French Commission to the Centennial, and as we know from this document, Secretary of the French Committee of the Franco-American Union. This Franco-Prussian War veteran transferred his interior decorating business to the United States in 1880, where he beautified the homes of affluent New Yorkers like the Vanderbilts. He was also a friend of Bartholdi.

Edouard Laboulaye (1811-1883), a leading French politician, dedicated abolitionist, and Americanophile, conceived of the idea for the Statue of Liberty and approached Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi about designing it. Laboulaye later served as President of the Franco-American Union.

A fascinating letter about Statue of Liberty fundraising almost ten years before its inauguration in New York Harbor!

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000