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Eminent French sculptor (1834–1904) best known for designing the Statue of Liberty. Rare unused Statue of Liberty fundraising ticket prepared by the "Union Franco-Américaine," 5.5 x 4, with a small affixed photographs of a concept of the monument, and text reading (translated): "Subscription for the erection of a commemorative monument for the hundredth anniversary of the Independence of the United States. The Committee of the French-American Union begs Mr….to take part in this great national event as an associate member." Below are the facsimile signatures of committee members Oscar de Lafayette and Edouard Laboulaye. On the reverse is an extract of the rules of the Association giving details about the organization of the fundraising, with the names of the honorary members of the Committee, including Marquis de Rochambeau, Auguste Bartholdi (the architect of the Statue of Liberty) and Oscar de Lafayette (grandson of Marquis de Lafayette). In fine condition, with light edge toning and evidence of prior mounting to reverse corners.
The Statue of Liberty project began on April 21, 1865, when Edouard de Laboulaye, professor of law at the Collège de France and admirer of young American democracy, submitted the idea that France offer the United States a statue symbolizing ‘Liberty Enlightening the World,’ thus sealing the friendship between the two countries. The design came from the young Auguste Bartholdi, distinguished by the creation of his colossal Lion of Belfort. The defeat of France at Sedan, followed by the Paris Commune and the resulting political and financial problems, delayed the project by 10 years.
The statue was to be inaugurated on the centenary of the independence of the United States, on July 4, 1876, but construction did not begin until that year. Financing proved to be an obstacle, and the appeal for American and French donations proved essential. The hand was presented at the Universal Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and the head was admired at the Champ de Mars during the exhibition of 1878. Gustave Eiffel, a brilliant designer of iron bridges, was chosen to build the iron framework of the Lady. The 46-meter-high building was completed in July 1884. Bartholdi, after traveling to New York, chose the small island of Belloe's Island to house his masterpiece. She was dismantled piece by piece to be transported by boat to Le Havre on May 21, 1885. She triumphantly entered New York Harbor on June 17th, and the inauguration took place on October 28, 1886, in the presence of American President Grover Cleveland.
