The French auction house for works of art and collectibles, Artcurial, has been exhibiting since Saturday December 7 the 372 lots linked to the life of General De Gaulle which will be auctioned this Monday December 16. And the exhibition is already full.
“De Gaulle, a legacy for History”. This is the title of the auction organized this Monday, December 16 by Artcurial. This says a lot about the event that this sale represents for this French auction house for works of art and collectibles located in a former private mansion on the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées. “Yes it’s exceptional”Artcurial’s press officer told us this Wednesday. The auction will begin at 2 p.m., it will be possible to follow it online, on site but also to bid by telephone. We predict a lot of people will follow and participate in this sale. In any case, the exhibition of 372 lots linked to the life of General De Gaulle has already attracted many visitors since Saturday December 7. Especially since the Artcurial house is exhibiting for the occasion the original manuscript of the Appeal of June 18 which is visible but which is not for sale.
And autograph manuscript “Discord among the enemy” written by General De Gaulle
Letters, manuscripts, notebooks, badges and other objects that belonged to the General are thus auctioned by the family as part of the estate of Admiral De Gaulle, son of the General, who died on March 13, 2024. This is the lot 92 which displays the highest estimate to date (between 50,000 and 60,000 euros). “This is the autograph manuscript “Discord among the enemy”the General's very first work published in 1924. Other « lot phare » of the sale, according to Artcurial, this small notebook of personal notes “scribbled” by the General on his arrival in London. If we stick to the estimates, the proceeds from this auction must reach more than a million euros. But it will obviously be much more.
Colombey will not buy anything, neither will the Memorial
Will we have some items from this sale in Haute-Marne? Difficult to say. But if this is the case, it will not come from the commune of Colombey. “Financially, it’s complicated to position yourself on a lot”indicates Pascal Babouot, mayor of Colombey who will discuss this subject this Thursday evening during the municipal council. “And, from an ethical point of view, I don’t want the municipality to participate in this. I respect the De Gaulle family of course but I do not support this approach”adds Pascal Babouot, surprised and shocked by this auction which will disperse goods which, according to him, belong to History.
Contacted, Nicolas Lacroix, president of the Department – and therefore of the Departmental Archives – but also president of the De Gaulle memorial in Colombey, confirms that there will be no offers from him either.
We will now see whether or not museums, institutions or even the State will position themselves on certain lots. It is now the highest bidder who will win.
C. C.
