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an old book with writing on it and a pen in it
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Estimate €800 - €1,000
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MERMOZ Jean L.A.S. ‘Jean’, Rio de Janeiro, 25 July [1928], to his ‘Beloved Mum’; 4 pages, small quarto. Proposed Brazil–Bolivia route. ‘I’m going to make a 2,000-kilometre trek from Rio to Bolivia, travelling through regions that are largely unexplored but not dangerous – don’t worry. We want to establish a postal service along this route, and on my return I’ll be stopping at emergency landing sites hastily prepared by a mission we sent out a few weeks ago. It’s a wonderful journey. Just think, people in those regions don’t even know that aeroplanes exist! Imagine how astonished the indigenous people will be when they see one. After that, I’ll head back down to Buenos Aires and set off straight away for Chile with the Argentine Director. On my return, I’ll be launching the first air service between Natal and the Noronha Islands, and finally, the big boss, Bouilloux-Lafont, might be planning to have me fly the Natal–Dakar–Paris route. What a joy it will be to come and give you a big hug so soon!” Two letters have arrived at the Maures’ house… In Rio, Mermoz is feted every time he arrives. “I’ve just managed, for the first time, to complete the Buenos Aires–Rio journey in 14 hours in a single day. The Director is a true friend to me. […] Naturally, there’s no shortage of jealousy […] The Director is keeping me on as airport manager in Buenos Aires and, for the past two months, has been allowing me to draw both salaries – that of this post and that of a pilot – despite my refusal, since it was at my own request that I asked to resume my regular duties as a pilot”… During the performance of *Carmen* at the Buenos Aires Opera House on 14 July, ‘the whole audience broke into *La Marseillaise* […] I am not one for blindly sentimental patriotism, but […] I was deeply moved’… He shares a flat with his friend Étienne… Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family
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About the sale Historical Memories
Auction location
Auction time 11/03/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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