FERBER Ferdinand (1862-1909) aviateur, pionnier de l'aviation.

4 L.A.S. "Ferber", 1903-1904, to his friend the fireworker PERRIN; 2 pages oblong small in-4 each on the letterhead of the 15th Army Corps. Batteries Alpines (cracks, holes and folds tired). Letters written in 190-1904, when he was captain, commanding the 17th Alpine Battery in Nice, concerning his first trials of aeroplanes and the competition with WRIGHT to know which one was finally going to fly. July 4, 1903: "Reflection made, it would be silly from the moment we are almost ready not to try at least once in the Var and to wait for August. Therefore, repair and do not try at Tordo"... - July 10, 1903, he wishes Perrin a good water season, and authorizes a distribution of pants .... - December 29, 1903, on Wilbur Wright, who learned that Ferber had put an engine on his glider and hurried to put one: "Imagine that I have a new colonel who does not let me take a man anymore! So that since you I have not done anything. This is all the more unfortunate that my American competitor Wright and Chanute, a little worried to learn in June that I had put an engine in, hurried to put one in as well, and he wrote me eight days ago that he had managed to travel more than five kilometers while maneuvering in all directions. So there is no longer any great glory to be gained, but there may still be something to be done to be among those who will be at the head of the new invention. What happened with the automobile shows us what can be done. In that case, why don't you play the role of a Button? I won't be able to play Dion's role unless I resign; but I could stay behind the scenes... - February 24, 1904: "I have taken Burdin into my service [...] Since you are in Paris, please do me the favor of ordering the small tube to go from the carburetor to the tank and also the one for the propellers. I want to remake narrower propellers (4 tubes of about 4 meters)"... Attached: - a L.A.S., to the President of the Aero-Club of France, Paris December 29, 1905, on the ratification of a nomination to the aviation commission. - the cover page of his book Pas à Pas, saut à saut, vol à vol, signed. - A set of 13 photographs and postcards representing him or concerning him. More articles of press of which the article of E.-J. Lasalle on the aviator.