ALS in French, signed “G. Eiffel,” one page both sides, 5.25 x 4, personal letterhead, January 3, 1904. Letter to a gentleman. In full (translated): "We have indeed been very happy for Piccioni’s officer’s nomination, he is a man of great merit whose career will be great. Your congratulations touched me a lot as well of your wishes; please accept mine that are no less sincere for Mrs. Daudet, as well as your family and yourself. I have been very pleased particularly for citizen Codillou’s success and I hope that it will last for a long time. The entire family went there and liked it a lot: it is a charming site. Our household from children to adults is in excellent health and is starting the new year well, including the grandfather I am, but who still has reasonable energy for work.” In fine condition.
Eiffel’s mention of “Piccioni” likely refers to his son-in-law, Camille Piccioni, a diplomat who at one time was head of the French Cipher Bureau. The bureau practiced cryptanalysis at a high level, developing new ciphers while working to break others. The Eiffel Tower began hosting experiments in wireless telegraphy in the late 1890s and by 1903 the French military began conducting research in radio communications using the Tower as a base. This proved enormously important with the onset of World War I, during which the Tower was used as a ‘listening post’ to intercept German radio messages which could then be decrypted. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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