158 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean L.A.S. “Ton Jean,” Buenos Aires, July 4, 1928, to his “Dearest Mom”; 2 pages, in-4 format, on Aeroposta Argentina letterhead. I’ve had a bit of the flu, but I’m leaving for Rio “to make a full recovery.” It’s hot there, whereas here it’s a bit chilly. So you can imagine how much stamina is needed, because the climate changes drastically within 24 hours when you fly from Rio to Buenos Aires in a single day. I’ll be heading to Natal shortly to make a few flights between Natal and Noronha Island in a specially equipped plane. My director has officially informed me that I’ll likely be asked to make a Buenos Aires–Paris trip in October. […] Don’t worry. You know I have the experience and that I won’t embark on such an adventure without taking every possible precaution and having all my cards in play. Especially since I’d like to do this in less than five days and with mail. My director will probably accompany me”… Tell your mother not to listen to the critics: “I’m so proud and so happy to have a mother like you, who understands me so well and loves me enough to sacrifice everything for my happiness. And I’m so happy doing what I’m doing! Tell all those people for me to leave us alone and mind their own business. If I heard some of their insinuations, I think I’d slap them and never see them again in my life. One must be narrow-minded and petty not to understand better what is good and beautiful. What despicable people!”… Correspondence, No. 143. Provenance: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family