Gustave EIFFEL poses at the top of the Eiffel Tower in 1889.

Rare original photograph of the scientist posing at the top of the Tower a few days after the inauguration.

2.500€

Gustave Eiffel (1832.1923)

Original photograph.

Cabinet format print laminated on strong cardboard.

Annotated in the margin, in black ink: April 11, 89.

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The inauguration of the tower designed by Eiffel took place on March 31, 1889, upon completion of the construction of the metal structure. Some officials, engineers and workers who had participated in the construction gathered to witness the ascent of Gustave Eiffel to the top of his monument. A tricolor flag was planted and cannons thundered to celebrate the event.

However, the work was not completely finished. In fact, it was only ten days later, on April 10, that the assembly of the pumps and machines allowing the elevation of the elevators was completed. Visitors to the Universal Exhibition would be able to climb to the Parisian skies.

According to the handwritten annotation in the margin, the photo we present was taken the day after this decisive installation, April 11, 1889.

We discover Gustave Eiffel, happy, sticking his head through an opening in the metal structure. Accompanied by his colleagues, the engineer shines at the top of his tower.

We believe we recognize, in the center of this group portrait, the face of Maurice Koechlin, this Swiss engineer who was the first to design the tower and defended the project within the Eiffel design office.

As soon as it opened to the public on May 15, 1889, the Parisian monument – then the tallest in the world – enjoyed immense popular success and received nearly two million visitors during the Universal Exhibition.