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105
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MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
105
-
MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
Estimate €800 - €1,000
Voluntary lot
Description
MERMOZ Jean
L.A.S. ‘Ton Jean’, Toulouse, Wednesday [August 1926], to his ‘beloved Mum’; 2 pages, in-4, on letterhead from the Grands Cafés de Toulouse.
Back in Toulouse (he had been hospitalised for acute sinusitis and an ear infection), he consulted a doctor who ‘found him in good condition: ears healed, no more discharge, and my sinus only slightly oozing. He told me I was fit to make the journey from Toulouse to Casablanca, but that he advised me to have another puncture in Casablanca, believing it would ensure a complete recovery—though not for another ten days or so. […] As for the Company, it was a real blow on arrival. Imagine my surprise when I realised I’d applied to return to the Franco-Roumaine in Lille. I’d simply put it in the wrong envelope and sent it to Daurat himself! Can you believe the situation!!! The best bit is that he knew I’d had offers from that company back in February! Apparently, he made a right fuss when he received my application, saying that things wouldn’t go that way with the Franco, who wanted to poach one of his best pilots. Anyway, when I arrived, my mates – surprised to see me back – told me what had happened. Deep down, I was pleased! The interview was more than cordial. I played dumb. […] He was so pleased that I’d come back that he was extremely friendly, asking me where I wanted to go, what I’d like to do – in short… it taught him a lesson. I still laugh about it. […] In just under an hour, I’m going to pop out for a bit… up there… to shake off the rust a bit… I need it. I’m heading back to Casa in two or three days. […] I went to Le Bourget. The Director of Air-Union told me he would have been willing to take me on, almost on my own terms, but that I would have had to start work on the very day I was interviewed”…
Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936);
- Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955);
- Then passed down through the family
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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