Rare 1889 Eiffel Tower Staircase to Be Consigned for Auction

(MENAFN) A tangible fragment of one of the world's most recognizable landmarks is heading to the auction block, as a section of the Eiffel Tower's original spiral staircase is set to go under the hammer in Paris on May 21, a French newspaper reported Monday.

The piece — comprising 14 riveted steel steps dating to the tower's construction in 1889 — will be offered by auction house Artcurial, with an estimated value ranging from €120,000 ($140,000) to €150,000 ($175,000). The section has been held in private hands for more than 40 years.

Engineered under the direction of Gustave Eiffel, the staircase originally served as the connecting passage between the monument's second and third levels. It was removed in 1983 during modernization works, at which point 20 sections were auctioned and subsequently dispersed to collections around the world.

Market appetite for such pieces has historically been robust. According to Artcurial, comparable sections have fetched in excess of €200,000 in recent sales — suggesting the current estimate may prove conservative. The auction house added that early interest in the upcoming lot has already drawn attention from international collectors, signaling strong cross-border demand ahead of the May sale.

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