Handwritten letter from Pierre Balmain
Handwritten letter from Pierre Balmain
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Pierre Balmain, the creator of the famous French fashion house, praises a late designer friend.
- Handwritten letter from Pierre Balmain to the widow of a fashion designer friend we have not yet identified, perhaps Molyneux or Lucien Lelong.
- Three pages.
- In French.
- 16 cm x 20 cm.
- October 12, year not informed.
- Excellent condition of conservation.
- Unique piece.
Excerpts
If you lose a lot, we all lose in him an understanding friend and a man of good taste who worked all his life for elegance and quality (...). And suddenly all the memories of that trusting and pleasant collaboration with this great textile master come back to my mind - these memories weave my entire life as a couturier - from the rue Royale to the rue François 1er, passing through the avenue Matignon (...) preserving in this profession that he loved a true quality of creation to help our country maintain its supremacy in the world (...). Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain (1914 - 1982) is the fashion designer who created the famous French luxury brand of the same name. This seemed to be his destiny, as Balmain's father was the owner of a clothing wholesaler and his mother ran a fashion boutique with her sisters, where the young Balmain was exposed to beautiful women and clothes.
After working for other designers, such as the young Christian Dior, he founded his own fashion house in 1945. The first collection was presented in Vogue magazine with the journalist commenting: "beautiful clothes that you really want to wear" . Balmain quickly spread his brand internationally and designed avant-garde clothes for stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and princesses and queens from all over the world.
The fame and success of the Balmain brand grew steadily over the decades, becoming a multinational company with over 600 employees. Interestingly, Balmain discovered another great talent, Karl Lagerfeld, whom he hired in 1954 after judging a competition in which the young Austrian designer won.
Letters written by great French fashion designers are rare, most of which are preserved in museums or by the haute couture houses themselves. This autograph document, in addition to being in excellent condition, long and entirely handwritten, with a large signature, is particularly interesting because Pierre Balmain speaks of fashion and his pride in France, through a tribute to another deceased designer.

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Yes. All items available at Glórias have been carefully selected, studied, and certified before being offered for sale. Each purchase comes with a digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee, which we send via email. It is signed and stamped by Mathias Meyer, a French autograph expert since 2010 and a member of the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers).
Who selects and certifies the items sold?
All items are selected and certified by Mathias Meyer, a French specialist in autographs, manuscripts, and historical documents since 2010. Throughout his career, he has studied thousands of pieces related to Brazilian history, sports, science, literature, and arts, and is now a member of ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers) and founder of Glórias.
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We accept payment via Pix or bank transfer, both with a 3% discount for upfront payment, as well as credit card in up to 3 interest-free installments, offering convenience and security for customers across Brazil.
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Yes. You can pay in full via Pix or bank transfer with a 3% discount, or pay in up to 3 interest-free installments by credit card, with immediate shipping after payment confirmation. It is also possible to pay in up to 10 installments via Pix; in this case, shipping will be carried out after the full payment of the purchase.
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We offer a 3% discount for payments made in full (via Pix or bank transfer) or the option to pay in up to 3 interest-free installments by credit card. Furthermore, the prices of our pieces are carefully determined based on international market supply and demand, the specific characteristics of each item, and sales results of similar pieces. For this reason, we typically do not grant additional discounts. However, if you wish to purchase multiple pieces or make an exceptionally high-value purchase, we would be pleased to consider a special commercial arrangement.
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Delivery time varies approximately from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the recipient's location. In Brazil, we mainly use SEDEX, and for international shipments, FedEx. The document is placed in an elegant laid paper folder and sent in completely discreet packaging. The digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee is sent by email, in PDF format, for security reasons. Shipping is free throughout Brazil. For international shipments, the shipping cost is a fixed R$ 500.00.
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All items sold by Glórias have a permanent guarantee against eventual certification errors, provided that such error is subsequently demonstrated and confirmed by Mathias Meyer. In this event, the buyer will be fully reimbursed. To date, this situation has never occurred. The guarantee does not cover natural alterations or damage caused by improper storage, exposure to light, humidity, insects, or any other external factor that may compromise the preservation of the paper or ink.
Can I resell this piece in the future?
Yes. Should you wish to sell your piece in the future, please contact us. We will be happy to guide you and help you find a new collector, either through a direct sale or through a specialized auction organized by Glórias.
How can I add value to my collection?
If your goal is to go beyond an isolated purchase, the ideal is to build a coherent collection around a theme, a personality, or a historical period, such as aviation pioneers, women who made history, love letters, old photographs of Rio de Janeiro, Oscar Niemeyer, Pelé, or Ayrton Senna. Mathias Meyer can guide you in forming a consistent collection, according to your interests, objectives, and budget.
How should I store my document or autograph?
To preserve your document in the best condition, we recommend against laminating it or keeping it permanently framed, as paper needs to breathe and prolonged exposure to light can accelerate its deterioration. Ideally, store it in a dry, dark, and clean place, protected from humidity, extreme temperatures, dust, and insects, ensuring its preservation for many decades.
Why aren't these pieces in museums?
Throughout history, much of the world's documentary heritage has been preserved thanks to private collectors and dealers. These enthusiasts of historical documents play a fundamental role in the discovery, study, and preservation of pieces that can later be loaned, donated, or sold to museums and other institutions. In Brazil, where many museums have limited financial resources and staff, this collaboration is even more important. Glórias maintains relationships with public institutions, museums, and researchers, both in Brazil and abroad, sharing discoveries, knowledge, and, in some cases, documents for exhibitions.
Can I offer you a part to buy?
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Where do the parts sold by Glórias come from?
Every document has a unique story. Most of the pieces offered by Glórias were inherited from families who contacted us, while others were acquired at auctions, where they were poorly identified or undervalued, or came from antique dealers, collectors, or companies. Behind every rare document there is a singular trajectory, which makes collecting a fascinating way to preserve and transmit history.
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