2000 parts of a collection dedicated to the famous ship have been scattered at the end of April at the hôtel Drouot by Tessier-Sarrou.

It is not easy to find someone on board the Normandy. When you go to the salon, the person that is being sought is to the smoker. When we arrive at the smokehouse, we learn that she went to the movies. At the intermission, we see the spinning by the other side or take an elevator,” wrote Blaise Cendrars, describing for the newspaper Paris-Soir to the first voyage of the Normandie, linking Le Havre to New York, in may-June 1935.

Out of the chantiers de Penhoët, Saint-Nazaire, this flagship of the Compagnie générale transatlantique, symbolizing all the know-how and refinement of the France of the 1930s, would become the first and only French vessel to win the famous “blue ribbon” in recognition of its speed, at the end of an Atlantic crossing made in just four days and three hours.

2 000 documents made available for auction

Initially, the first name considered for this ocean liner was President-Paul-Doumer, but this choice was rejected because of the sound of the word “Doumer”, close to the English “is doomed” (“cursed”). A sign of destiny ? Always is it that the brilliant career of the Normandy will end prematurely. Immobilized in New York in September 1939, at the time falls to the declaration of war, the ship is disarmed by the Americans, who took possession of it, the named USS Lafayette and decide to affect the transport of their troops. When making the necessary adjustments, the fire takes on board. Under the weight of tons of water poured out, to turn it off, the boat lies on its side. In spite of the long manoeuvres to bail it out, the repair costs are deemed too high, and the boat is finally stripped down in 1947…

the arrival of The Normandie in New York on June 3, 1935. Fourteen second print run, format 18 x 24. 100/150 euros. (Lot 49)

Tessier-Sarrou-Drouot

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All of the events along the history of Normandy, from its design to its demolition, were illustrated through about 2,000 documents auctioned at Drouot, April 25, at Tessier-Sarrou. When this dispersion, 95% of the lots found buyers. The photographs, which were the key of this collection, were joined together in batches, more or less important, mixing vintage prints and reruns later.

AND ALSO >> The posters of 68 auction

A beautiful set of 20 photographs detailing the splendor of the dazzling interiors designed by the leading designers of the time found a taker for 187,50 euros. On these images, we could see the lacquer painter Jean Dunand working on the low-relief Hunting, the chandelier and the pots-to-fire” of the great dining room by Lalique, the glass panel engraved by Max Ingrand and the statue of Peace by the sculptor Louis Dejean.

images of rare and unusual

He had to bid up to 475 euros to take away a lot of 12 original prints bearing the seal of Roger Schall, the official photographer of this first crossing, showing Colette, invited, like many other celebrities of the time, this maiden voyage, the gala dinner at the table, Gaby Morlay…

Among the most spectacular views, those of the triumphant arrival of the Normandie in New York harbor, June 3, 1935. These 14 reruns, announced at 100-150 euros, went to 225 euros. The number of unusual pictures were those of the accident on June 22, 1936. A small british plane crashed on the bow of the boat, without causing damage to the ship or to the pilot. The 15 photos taken by Keystone constituent in this lot have got 750 euros.

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Several sets illustrate the tragic end of the Normandy. 15 photos showing the ship lying in the port of New York, the beginning of the work of recovery, the demolition of the chimneys, and the point where the hull starts to straighten up, for eighteen months after the vessel capsized, have been contracted for 187,50 euros. At the end of the sale were scattered archives, pamphlets, maps, menus, letters, telegrams and other relics of this legend of the seas treasured until our days.