PIERRE CHAMBRIN ESTATE, MAX GALLO FRENCH HISTORICAL LIBRARY (DE GAULLE/NAPOLEON/FRAN?OIS I), WHITE
Offered here is a substantial and deeply cohesive French historical library by Max Gallo, drawn directly from the estate of Chef Pierre Chambrin, former Executive Chef to the White House. This is not a decorative grouping—it is a working intellectual collection, assembled and used by a French culinary figure whose role extended far beyond the kitchen: representing French culture, history, and identity at the highest diplomatic level. The collection is anchored by Gallo’s monumental multi-volume biography of Charles de Gaulle, presented here in numerous Pocket editions that trace the full arc of modern France—from war and resistance through liberation and presidency. These are complemented by Napoleonic works (including larger-format Robert Laffont editions and Le soleil d’Austerlitz), as well as a richly illustrated volume on François Ier, situating the Renaissance origins of French cultural power. Additional volumes addressing figures such as Robespierre and broader European political history further reinforce the sense that this was not a casual library, but a serious, lived-in intellectual framework for understanding France across centuries. What elevates this grouping is not rarity—but context and provenance. This set was owned and used by Chef Pierre Chambrin, who brought French cuisine and identity into the White House. It represents a personal study of French leadership, power, and national identity and it bridges monarchy _ revolution _ empire _ modern republic in one cohesive library. This is, in effect is a working archive of French identity, not assembled for display, but for understanding. Being sold by one of the owners of The Rug Life, Sabrina Chambrin Jureidini, the only Daughter of Pierre Chambrin. This book set comes with a COA signed by Sabrina, and one of Pierre’s original White House business cards. Each volume has one of Chef Chambrin’s stamps or embossed seal on an inside page. Pierre Chambrin (1947-2024) is a French-born American chef who served as the White House Executive Chef from 1989 to 1994. Chambrin was born in Paris on September 13, 1947. He received his culinary education at the Ecole des Metiers de l’alimentation, which he attended from 1961 to 1963. He moved to the United States in 1969 and opened a restaurant called Picot's Place in Massachusetts. In 1979 Chambrin took over the Washington, D.C. restaurant Maison Blanche, located near the White House. Chambrin was appointed under the presidency of George H. W. Bush to succeed Hans Raffert. He was succeeded by Walter Scheib. After leaving the White House, Chambrin became the executive chef at the Saint Louis Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The Maitres Cuisiniers de France named him "Chef of the Year" in 2008, and the Academie Culinaire de France bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on him in 2013.
Condition
Very Good+
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Offered here is a substantial and deeply cohesive French historical library by Max Gallo, drawn directly from the estate of Chef Pierre Chambrin, former Executive Chef to the White House. This is not a decorative grouping—it is a working intellectual collection, assembled and used by a French culinary figure whose role extended far beyond the kitchen: representing French culture, history, and identity at the highest diplomatic level. The collection is anchored by Gallo’s monumental multi-volume biography of Charles de Gaulle, presented here in numerous Pocket editions that trace the full arc of modern France—from war and resistance through liberation and presidency. These are complemented by Napoleonic works (including larger-format Robert Laffont editions and Le soleil d’Austerlitz), as well as a richly illustrated volume on François Ier, situating the Renaissance origins of French cultural power. Additional volumes addressing figures such as Robespierre and broader European political history further reinforce the sense that this was not a casual library, but a serious, lived-in intellectual framework for understanding France across centuries. What elevates this grouping is not rarity—but context and provenance. This set was owned and used by Chef Pierre Chambrin, who brought French cuisine and identity into the White House. It represents a personal study of French leadership, power, and national identity and it bridges monarchy _ revolution _ empire _ modern republic in one cohesive library. This is, in effect is a working archive of French identity, not assembled for display, but for understanding. Being sold by one of the owners of The Rug Life, Sabrina Chambrin Jureidini, the only Daughter of Pierre Chambrin. This book set comes with a COA signed by Sabrina, and one of Pierre’s original White House business cards. Each volume has one of Chef Chambrin’s stamps or embossed seal on an inside page. Pierre Chambrin (1947-2024) is a French-born American chef who served as the White House Executive Chef from 1989 to 1994. Chambrin was born in Paris on September 13, 1947. He received his culinary education at the Ecole des Metiers de l’alimentation, which he attended from 1961 to 1963. He moved to the United States in 1969 and opened a restaurant called Picot's Place in Massachusetts. In 1979 Chambrin took over the Washington, D.C. restaurant Maison Blanche, located near the White House. Chambrin was appointed under the presidency of George H. W. Bush to succeed Hans Raffert. He was succeeded by Walter Scheib. After leaving the White House, Chambrin became the executive chef at the Saint Louis Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The Maitres Cuisiniers de France named him "Chef of the Year" in 2008, and the Academie Culinaire de France bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on him in 2013.
Condition
Very Good+
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
