MERMOZ JEAN: (1901-1936)

MERMOZ JEAN: (1901-1936) French pioneer aviator, looked upon as a hero by other pilots such as Antoine Saint-Exupery. An extremely rare Autograph Telegram, unsigned, one page, small oblong 4to, Natal [Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil], 11th June 1930, to [Didier Daurat], in French. Mermoz has written the telegram in pencil to a partially printed Cia. Auxiliar Radio-Emissora Do Brasil form, and provides some technical data following flight testing, in part, ' Vent SE variant 1 a 5 metres seconde (Angle ligne depart avec vent constant SE variant 35 a 80 divers sens de depart. Essais consommation) avec 600 l essence 100 kgs huile et huit passagers' (Translation: 'SE wind varying from 1 to 5 metres per second (Departure line angle with constant SE wind varying from 35 to 80 various departure directions. Consumption tests) with 600 l petrol 100 kgs oil and eight passengers'). Autograph material of Mermoz is extremely rare in any form as a result of his tragic disappearance at the age of 34 over the Atlantic Ocean whilst making a flight to Brazil. Some very light, minor age wear and with a small tear to the lower edge, not affecting the text, otherwise VG Didier Daurat (1891-1969) French pioneer aviator, a fighter pilot during World War I who later employed Mermoz at the Compagnie Generale Aeropostale. Daurat was also the inspiration for the character of Riviere in Antoine Saint-Exupery’s novel Vol de nuit (1931).