Le Corbusier (Charles Édouard Jeanneret)

5 autograph letters, 1 autograph postcard, 2 typed letters, and 1 typed postcard, all signed ("Ch. Jeanneret," "Le Corbusier," "Corbu"), in French, 19 pp. (various sizes), Paris, Rocquebrune, Smyrna, 28 April 1928–6 December 1949, to Marguerite Tjader-Harris, Charles Teige, Lewis Mumford, and others; 4 autograph envelopes; condition generally good — Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Typed letter signed ("Mies"), in German, 1 pp. on his red-printed letterhead, Berlin, 6 June 1931, to Le Corbusier. 

Condition as described in catalogue entyr.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"I FEEL THAT I'M SURROUNDED BY A RISING LIGHT." A FINE COLLECTION OF LETTERS FROM LE CORBUSIER TO SEVERAL RECIPIENTS AND SPANNING 30 YEARS.

Five of the letters are written by Corbusier to Marguerite Tjader-Harris of Darien, Connecticut. In the letter of 1 June 1938, he dispels the rumor that he will design the French pavilion for the 1939 New York World's fair: "Unfortunately this was also said last year, but it never came true. I've postponed my trip to New York. Today I had a meeting with some very important businessmen, who were discussing the construction of an Algiers skyscraper, 'the Cartesian skyscraper'. It can be done." He writes the following year (21 March 1939), "If I get to sign the Chilean contract, I will be going there in April, May, and June. I am like the Wandering Jew. Algiers is doing fine. The plan is final. The governor is very enthusiastic about it. Finally, we're getting closer to the aim. I've been struggling for 6 years in all these places at once: Algeria, America, England, France. I need a lot of energy and perseverance. I've come a long way, and it's a tremendous achievement to have gained the public's favor. I feel that I'm surrounded by a rising light." He goes on to comment on his work as a painter, "I'm in love with painting and I'm doing very well. A lot of progress. This time, I'm showing it to the public. My paintings are designed to be read by graphologists, soothsayers and psychoanalysts."

The letter from Mies van der Rohe to Le Corbusier concerns an architectural exhibition Mies is organizing in Berlin.

AN INTERESTING CACHE OF LETTERS FROM ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL ARCHITECTS OF MODERN TIMES.