A 15-step segment of the Eiffel Tower's original staircase, built in 1889, has sold for $270,587 at Artcurial in Paris.

This equates to an increase of 566% on a $40,587 valuation.

Architect Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) and his son in law on the staircase

The staircase was dismantled in 1983 to comply with new safety regulations, with several pieces split across a variety of high profile museums throughout France.

The remainder were sold at auction, and attracted buyers from around the world. In 2009 one of those pieces was resold to an American buyer for an impressive $744,095.

The segment that featured in the sale was consigned by a Swiss collector and connected the second and third decks of the tower.

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