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177
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MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
177
-
MERMOZ Jean
See original version (French)
Estimate €700 - €800
Voluntary lot
Description
MERMOZ Jean
L.A.S. ‘Ton Jean’, [Buenos Aires, late 1928?] to his ‘Beloved Mum’; 2 pages, in-4, on Aeroposta tissue paper.
On his future.
He has just been ‘stranded in Chile for a fortnight because of the snow’. He has just returned, ‘and tomorrow I’m off to Asunción in Paraguay’…
He then refers to his ‘change of life’ and the ‘personal struggles’ that will sort themselves out in time. ‘Besides, I’ve set aside two years of freedom for myself. I cannot abandon the path I have charted for myself, at the end of which lies my goal. To complete my flight, to pave the way once more – through the reputation I shall have established – for other air routes, for the benefit of the Company; and then, well, I shall have done my bit, I’ll be approaching thirty and I’ll accept the all in all enviable position that’s already been offered to me, which will allow me a comfortable life with the prospect of being able to fly as I please. If I were to follow my impulse and give myself over to the other, I wouldn’t wait. But accepting responsibility for a life, for happiness under these circumstances, is too heavy a burden, especially before my flight… which will be a success… oh, certainly, but which is, after all… socially speaking, if I may say so… a danger in the eyes of the uninitiated. That’s only natural. Besides, her parents don’t want to make up their minds just yet… they’re willing to let us see each other discreetly, though they do fear for their daughter’s happiness, given my sort of life. But she accepts it—oh, certainly not with enthusiasm… but as long as she’d be sharing it with me?! Yes, naturally. But I’m looking further ahead… I know the constant anxiety you live with, my dear Mum, and which she is beginning to experience too. Mum, I need the same courage I had when I left you to step into the uncertainty of a life that causes suffering to those who love you and are close to you. I need the courage to be patient and to help others be patient’…
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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