FR EN
a bunch of old papers with handwriting on them on a white surface
Premium Artcurial

Estimate €5,000 - €6,000
Sale commission
Description
MERMOZ Jean 8 L.A.S. ‘Jean’ (2 ‘Mermoz’), Toulouse, November–December 1924, to his ‘Beloved Mum’; 34 pages, in-8. First flights for Latécoère Airlines. 1 November. ‘I flew twice this morning. I’m now well regarded at home and if this carries on, I won’t have any reason to complain about being here. It’s true that I’m always on time and ready to fly; most of the others get up at 9 am or 10 am […] As for me, it doesn’t take any more effort; I’ve got into the habit of getting up at half past six, I have a three-quarter-hour tram journey and am usually there by 8 o’clock. That way, I’m always there in case of a flight”… – 19 November. “I’m back from Casablanca. A superb trip in every respect, but extremely tiring; just imagine, six or seven hours in the air every day! I’m thinking of starting the Toulouse–Barcelona leg in a few days’ time whilst I await my posting, probably in Spain.” He reckons he’ll soon be earning 2,000 francs. He’s worried about his mother’s divorce… – 27 November. “But yes, my dear Mum, I haven’t given up hope for our future. It’s starting to look a little less bleak. […] I’ve started the Toulouse–Perpignan leg; I’ve done it once before. […] We’re, so to speak, on standby whilst we wait for the Dakar route to open in January”… [Early December]. ‘I’ve successfully completed my first two legs, Toulouse–Perpignan–Barcelona and back, and I’m setting off again tomorrow to do two more, which I hope will continue to go well. If all goes well, I reckon I’ll make at least 1,800 to 2,000 francs this month, but I’m looking forward to setting off on a stopover because here I’m too close to the limelight and a target for all manner of jealousy and harassment, as is the case in any society of men or women towards those who succeed too well. […] All I want is to stay here and carry on with this job for as long as possible’… – 15 December. ‘I’ve got a lot of work at the moment. I’m in the air three days out of four at the moment, for about five hours a day. The senior staff have taken leave; so at the moment, I’m kept very busy. I’ve already done 10 legs at 100 francs per leg, which is already a tidy sum. […] I assure you it’s not money earned dishonestly; the weather’s been dreadful – constantly foggy, rainy, or even snowy, with very strong winds on landing. But all these are just the minor drawbacks of the job. It’s so rewarding to do one’s job. I was up in the air for eight hours straight last Saturday. I slept well that night […] Well, yes, I’m twenty-three and I have faith in the future. ‘If we keep fighting, we’ll surely succeed’… – 20 December: ‘These days I’ve been in Spain more often than in France and very busy. Anyway, this is my eleventh letter. Things are already looking up’… – 22 December: “I’ve had a nasty bit of bad luck. I’ve brought gonorrhoea back from Spain”; he is undergoing a rigorous course of treatment. “The main thing is that I recover quickly and don’t have to stop working”… – 30 December: “I travelled from Toulouse to Barcelona and back this morning in six and a half hours. I’m pleased with my day’s work, which earned me 230 francs. I’d love to have many more like it”… Enclosed are three letters addressed to Mermoz by his friend Henri Fournier, Savigny-sur-Orge, dated 24 and 29 September 1924, and Friday 20 June (8 pages, in-4 format). Provenance: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Subsequently passed down within the family
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Historical Memories
Auction location
Auction time 11/03/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like