152 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean L.A.S. “Mermoz” and “Jean,” Buenos Aires, March 27, 1928, to his “Dearest Mom”; 2 pages in-4 and 2 pages in-8 on Aeroposta Argentina letterhead. Development of the Southern Mail Route. “Dearest Mom. – You’re going to worry yourself sick again. The thing is, since March 1, I’ve been completing my mail runs regularly, and here I am back in the thick of adventure, naturally. A few breakdowns, a few forced stays in the forest among the region’s indigenous people,” which will cause delays in their letters. “These are still only test flights, and the time saved isn’t yet significant enough to make it worthwhile. From an aviation standpoint, we’re doing well now. But the “fast” avisos!! currently crossing the Atlantic are worthless and are causing more and more delays in the express mail service. We’re in the process of finding another solution. That’s the only thing holding us back now. As far as aviation goes, things are really taking off. I’m back at the controls, and I assure you I’m really giving it my all! The Director relies entirely on me now... I’m now serving as both the airport’s chief pilot and a mail pilot. Now I’m completely happy, since I’m flying… I’m well-known around here and highly regarded. One of the biggest cafés in Buenos Aires has even introduced the “Mermoz” cocktail!” There are “plans to purchase a very powerful transatlantic aircraft so that I can fly the Buenos Aires–Paris route nonstop, if possible, or at least the Buenos Aires–Natal–Paris route. This is very serious and almost official. But it’s a project that, in any case, wouldn’t come to fruition until later this year, since the aircraft isn’t ready yet. Larre Borges has also invited me to fly with him from Montevideo to Paris in August or September. But the Company doesn’t want to let me go, naturally. There’s so much work at the airline. In any case, I still have bright days ahead of me. The joy of effort guided by will truly enriches life”… The Société d’Encouragement au Progrès awarded me “a certificate of recognition with a silver medal for my work in aviation over the past four years. I also received the Grand Vermeil Medal from the Aéro-Club de France,” as well as invitations, notably to a “Petits Lits Blancs” gala at the Opera. But “these little acts of showmanship hold little appeal for me: pilots are all equal in the face of danger. My greatest pleasure is knowing that I’ve gotten where I am without resorting to underhanded tactics, solely through my own hard work and by always sacrificing many small personal interests for the sake of camaraderie. And it’s not over yet”… Then he talks about finances: “I currently have about forty thousand francs here in pesos and on deposit at the Bouilloux-Laffont Bank, where I also have my office. I set aside about ten thousand francs a month […] I’ll be able to return to France with a nice little nest egg after my two years”… He was “tasked by the Company with investigating the accident and its technical causes. […] Now, I’m pretty much convinced that we won’t have to worry about accidents of this kind anymore”… He’s getting used to Argentina and improving his Spanish. “Life in Buenos Aires is big-city life. I know a lot of people there now. The women are pretty, but that’s all! I have two French girlfriends who are, of course, completely disinterested!! […] two lively girls with whom I never get bored… in short, life is good. […] There isn’t a woman in the world who measures up to a Frenchwoman, and I think that if I ever get married, it’ll be in France. Although, you know, it might take me a while!?”… Correspondence, No. 136. Enclosed is an illustrated postcard commemorating the inauguration of the Argentina-Uruguay-Brazil-Africa-Europe Airmail Service, March 1, 1928. Provenance: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family