Ca9 – Signed Autograph Letter from Charles Girault to René Baschet, Petit Palais, 1907

  

SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM CHARLES GIRAULT TO RENÉ BASCHET – PETIT PALAIS, 1907.

An autograph letter signed by Charles Girault, written on stationery bearing the architect’s Paris address. The letter consists of two handwritten pages, written in ink on both sides of a sheet and signed “Ch.”

Charles Girault thanks René Baschet for his letter, which he describes as “most kind,” and for his good intentions. He then discusses the press reception of the Petit Palais, noting that the general view seemed to be that it was “a poor Petit Palais.

” The architect objects to this assessment and defends his work.

This letter provides a direct and particularly interesting account of Charles Girault’s personal reaction to criticism of the Petit Palais in the press.

Charles Girault was a French architect best known for designing the Petit Palais, built in Paris for the 1900 World’s Fair. He also helped coordinate the construction of the Grand Palais and was elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

René Baschet was a French journalist and press executive who served as director of a major illustrated weekly.

The letter has a central horizontal fold, several other folds and creases, stains and old marks, as well as mounting or adhesive marks on the reverse and along the right edge. Some minor wear to the edges.