Coco Chanel refused to be awarded the Legion of Honour.
"The ribbon isn't for good merchants , and ultimately, that's all I am."
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"The ribbon isn't for good merchants , and ultimately, that's all I am."
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Gabrielle CHANEL, known as Coco CHANEL (1883-1971)
Autographed letter signed to Philippe Berthelot.
One octavo page on letterhead bearing his address at 29 Faubourg St Honoré. No date [Circa 1930]
"The ribbon isn't for good merchants , and ultimately, that's all I am."
An extraordinary letter from Coco Chanel refusing the Legion of Honour offered to her.
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“My dear Philippe, – thank you from the bottom of my heart.
But to be fair, the ribbon isn't made for good merchants and ultimately, that's all I am.
Sending you both lots of love. Coco. I'm leaving for Roquebrune tonight.
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Philippe Berthelot (1866-1934), an eminent French diplomat, was close to the artistic and literary world. He fervently participated in the promotion of the arts and supported numerous figures such as Paul Claudel, Saint-John Perse, Paul Morand, Jean Cocteau, Raymond Radiguet, and Coco Chanel. At the end of the 19th century, he became friends with Victor Hugo (whose father, Marcellin, was close to him), Auguste Rodin, Gustave Flaubert, and others.
In 1919, Coco Chanel moved into the Hôtel particulier de Rohan-Montbazon located at 29 rue du Faubourg St Honoré.
Coco Chanel's letters are extremely rare.