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ROQUEFORT, Sébastien (1893–1934), Head of the Marine Departm…
See original version (French)
219
-
ROQUEFORT, Sébastien (1893–1934), Head of the Marine Departm…
See original version (French)
Estimate €400 - €500
Voluntary lot
Description
ROQUEFORT, Sébastien (1893–1934), Head of the Marine Department of the Latécoère Lines
Letter from the sender (L.A.S.), Dakar, 16 June 1930, to Jean MERMOZ; 2 pages, in-4 format, on Compagnie générale aéropostale letterhead.
[After breaking the record for the South Atlantic crossing, Mermoz faced a series of difficulties in getting his seaplane airborne again from Natal, which he was only able to do on 8 July… only to then crash into the ocean.]
He had ‘followed and admired all your efforts with great pleasure. Everything was ready, and I am truly sorry about this setback. Until today I still had hope; I stayed up all night trying to get a message. I hope my telegram has not offended you […] If I suggested setting off at dawn from Natal, or at least in such a way as to arrive in Dakar around 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning, it is because we have already had a tornado and it would be unwise to arrive at night.
Dawn is currently the best time here. The winds have been changeable of late, blowing from the south; this morning they were westerly. But you must expect south-easterly winds round here, with slightly misty conditions. As the mist lifts at sunrise, you’ll no doubt see the land shrouded in mist, with mist on the horizon, but flying at 500 you’ll be able to make out the hills clearly. Rest assured that we’re following your progress with all our hearts’…
Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936);
- Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955);
- 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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