FR EN
a letter written in blue ink on a piece of paper
Premium Artcurial

Estimate €800 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
MERMOZ Jean L.A.S. ‘Jean’, Toulouse, Friday [10 July 1931], to his grandparents, the GILLETs; 4 pages, in-4, in blue ink, on letterhead from the Hôtel du Grand Balcon. Difficulties at the Aéropostale. He expresses his affection for them, even though he does not write often. ‘At the moment, I’m travelling back and forth between Toulouse and Paris quite often, since Gilberte has been ill. I nearly lost her: for a moment we thought that an operation for peritonitis might be unavoidable. Fortunately, the doctors were excellent and Mum looked after her with a devotion you can well imagine. […] I’m thinking of going to fetch her next week.” He mentions his mother’s legal troubles, in which he was able to call upon his contacts in government departments: “At the root of it all are petty acts of revenge involving the hospital and Professor Combernalle, but I am, after all, hopeful that I will manage to avert the worst. At the same time, jealous people were trying to undermine me with the ministry’s official departments, whilst a whole host of people—former administrators of the Aéropostale—were hiding behind my name and pushing me forward, without my knowledge, behind the scenes against the Toulouse Operations Department. Fortunately, I was warned in time and was able to put a stop to these schemes… though it was not without a struggle. However, I did not find it too difficult to prove my good faith. But I nearly found myself forced to leave Aéropostale. Fortunately, I am well equipped for this life of constant struggle… but it takes a great deal of willpower not to give in to moments of weakness from time to time. […] A good balance, and good physical and mental health, are all elements and factors that enable you to stand your ground, and I draw all the strength I need from the ceaselessly renewed enthusiasm that comes from the work itself and my love for my profession. My own life is wonderful, and the worries and difficulties I encounter are of such a nature that they never frighten me, because I know I can overcome them. But it encompasses other lives, and I must accept all the responsibilities: to protect and to comfort – that is, in a way, the life of a man… it is mine, at any rate… I do not complain […] My life is my life’s work; I have created it through sheer energy and willpower; I have made it what it is, and that is my greatest source of pride […] This gives you moral independence, the right to hold your head high and act according to your conscience […] and I have faith in the destiny God has ordained for me, and I can only give thanks rather than complain’… He returns to Paris on 25 July ‘to collect my long-distance aircraft, which should be ready by then. […] My health is excellent and I am resting a little in anticipation of the major ventures ahead: a new world record on a closed circuit with Étienne, whom I am taking with me – perhaps followed by another commercial round-trip crossing of the South Atlantic and, immediately afterwards, my departure for the Marseille B raid. Non-stop stops’… 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.
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