A monumental auction dedicated to the writings and personal items of General Charles de Gaulle captivated bidders in Paris, achieving a remarkable total of €5.6 million. Organised by Artcurial and featuring items from the estate of de Gaulle’s son, Admiral Philippe de Gaulle, the sale saw all 318 lots snapped up, with numerous acquisitions made by prestigious French institutions.
The auction, which took place on Monday 16th December after a 10-day exhibition at the Hôtel Marcel Dassault that welcomed 5,000 visitors, drew a full house of over 200 attendees, 1,500 registered online bidders, and hundreds more watching via YouTube. With an atmosphere as charged as its historical significance, the sale quickly turned into a record-setting event. Notably, the LIP Calibre R 27 “Patent Pending” watch, worn by de Gaulle himself, became the highlight of the evening, fetching an extraordinary €537,920 and setting a world record for the famed French watchmaker.
A chronological journey through de Gaulle’s legacy
The auction was nothing short of a walk through history, tracing Charles de Gaulle’s life from his youth to his time as a key figure on the world stage. A small lead toy soldier from his childhood set the tone, selling for €6,560—more than 20 times its estimate.
Other highlights included a manuscript titled Campagne d’Allemagne, written by a 14-year-old Charles de Gaulle in 1905, which imagined a victorious “General de Gaulle” defeating the German enemy. It soared to €28,864 within minutes. His high school report card and baccalaureate diploma also sparked fierce bidding, achieving €52,480 and €41,984, respectively.
The sale continued to reveal rare and deeply personal pieces. The National Library of France (BnF) secured de Gaulle’s 1920 Campaign of Poland manuscript for €62,976 and his 1950 notes on the organisation of Free France for €104,960. A particularly moving lot—a letter to his wife Yvonne written after the Liberation of Paris, beginning with “Ma chère petite femme chérie”—was claimed by the French National Archives for €31,488.
One of the most touching pieces was a signed manuscript titled Pour mes obsèques (For my funeral), dated January 1952, which fetched €118,080.
Symbolic treasures and personal connections
The auction also included treasured objects from de Gaulle’s personal life and relationships. A vermeil Companion of the Liberation insignia achieved €34,112, while a Baccarat crystal rooster belonging to the General was sold for €65,600. The silver-bound Annuaire des Compagnons (Companions of the Liberation Directory), gifted to de Gaulle in 1945, was acquired by the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération for €65,600.
Letters from notable figures also featured prominently. A heartfelt 1947 letter from Joséphine Baker, signed “Votre fidèle et sale Gaulliste soldat Joséphine Baker,” sold for €26,240, while a handwritten note from Winston Churchill during his time as Prime Minister fetched €107,584.
A sale for the ages
The auction’s finale was its crowning moment, with General de Gaulle’s iconic LIP Calibre R 27 watch smashing expectations and achieving €537,920—an unprecedented world record for a LIP timepiece.
In total, the sale was a resounding success, with 135 acquisitions made by major institutions, including the BnF, National Archives, the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération. Adding to its significance, part of the proceeds will benefit the Fondation Anne de Gaulle.
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Photo source: Artcurial