Arts & Culture
In 1859, Louis Vuitton, then an unknown craftsman, shipped fine furniture to the Tsar’s aide-de-camp. This rare document marks the early steps of a man who would become a global luxury icon, and shows how French craftsmanship served diplomacy at the highest level.
Arts & Culture
In 1978, a nude photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger captures him mid-transformation, from bodybuilding icon to Hollywood and political legend. A rare, intimate glimpse into the early days of a man who would redefine the American Dream, with pen, muscle, and vision.
Arts & Culture
French screen icon Brigitte Bardot wrote a tender yet ironic letter to Milou, a Belgian fox terrier, sharing her illness, her love for animals, and her disillusionment with humans, a rare and funny glimpse into her reclusive activist life.
Arts & Culture
Dalí often wrote to Picasso, seeking closeness through shared memories. This postcard, with playful drawings and a cryptic Catalan phrase, is a vivid example, blending nostalgia, obsession, and Dalí’s surreal style in a one-sided dialogue with his unresponsive idol.
Arts & Culture
In 1959, a young Gainsbourg wrote a song for Marlene Dietrich, hoping she would perform it in Paris. Ignored by the star, the piece remained in the shadows. This manuscript reveals the early steps of a bold songwriter and a missed encounter between two cultural icons.
History & Society
In the 1960s, Che Guevara embodied his vision of the “new socialist man” by doing volunteer labor in Cuba. These rare photos, found in a private album, show him working alongside others, an example of his belief in solidarity and selfless action.
Arts & Culture
Drawn on Schiaparelli letterhead, this early sketch by Hubert de Givenchy reflects his formative years (1947–1951) at the iconic atelier. Immersed in avant-garde creativity, he shaped a modern, elegant style that would define French fashion for decades.
Explore real History through original letters and manuscripts, preserved, curated, and published weekly.
Inaugurated in 1960, Brasília was born from a bold plan led by Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa under President Kubitschek. A note from Niemeyer reveals the collaborative spirit, which helped shape one of the world’s most original capitals, modernist, planned, and full of creative energy.
In a rare annotated book, Paul Landowski - sculptor of Brazil’s most iconic symbol - sketches an angel wrestling a man, echoing the biblical struggle of Jacob and revealing his lasting obsession with the divine in art.
A heartfelt letter from Vinicius de Moraes to his daughter Susana, written in exile. Between jokes and saudade, a father reveals his true self—far from home, close in love.
Hand-drawn by Vinton Cerf in the 1990s, this sketch revisits his groundbreaking 1977 concept of the TCP/IP protocol, the foundation of the Internet. It illustrates how different networks - ARPANET, SATNET, PRNET - could communicate through a universal architecture.
Peter Jackson thanks a fan for his kind words about The Fellowship of the Ring, recalling the challenge of the film and the strong team spirit. He expresses admiration for Tolkien's work and mentions he's working on The Two Towers.
In this 1948 letter from New York, Édith Piaf replies to a struggling French grandmother raising three children, thanking her for her sincere letters. Despite fame, Piaf confides her emotional pain and finds rare comfort in their growing bond.
In this letter, Champollion isn’t triumphant, he’s searching. From Abu Simbel’s hieroglyphs, he questions, deciphers, doubts. Ramses II, Ahmosis, Ergamenes: each name fuels his quest. A rare glimpse of a genius still learning, still passionate, still human.
A rare 1893 prison letter by Charles Baïhaut, the only French official to confess in the Panama Canal corruption scandal. He defends his actions, denounces selective justice, and offers a unique firsthand view of one of France’s earliest political-financial crises.
This 1993 storyboard by James Hegedus captures two iconic Forrest Gump scenes, his mother’s parting wisdom and the famous “box of chocolates” moment. In them lies the film’s soul: life’s unpredictability met with grace, sincerity, and a mother’s lasting voice guiding Forrest’s journey.
In 1998, Pelé pens a candid letter blending surreal travel tales, critiques of post-Soviet chaos, and bold takes on Korean history, revealing the man behind the myth: curious, blunt, and unexpectedly political.
In 1924, as Walter Chrysler launched the Chrysler Six, he paused to write his teenage son a warm, encouraging letter. Amid corporate ambition, this note reveals a father's quiet support at a pivotal moment, for both his company and his son’s future.
In June 1912, Monet, troubled by cataracts, painted fervently in Giverny and wrote a humble, emotional letter to Gustave Geffroy. Doubting his talent, he prioritized feeling over form. A touching postscript reveals his deep friendship with Georges Clemenceau.