160 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean L.A.S. “Jean,” Rio de Janeiro, July 25 [1928], to his “Beloved Mom”; 4 pages, small in-4. Proposed Brazil-Bolivia Route. “I’m going to make a 2,000-km trek from Rio to Bolivia through regions that are often unexplored, but rest assured, they are not dangerous. We want to establish a mail service along this route, and on my way back I’ll be stopping at emergency landing sites hastily prepared by a mission we sent out a few weeks ago. It’s a beautiful journey. Just imagine—people in those regions don’t even know airplanes exist! The Indians will be utterly astonished when they see one. Then I’ll head back down to Buenos Aires and leave immediately for Chile with the Argentine Director. Upon my return, I’ll begin the first air route between Natal and the Noronha Islands, and finally, the big boss, Bouilloux-Lafont, might be planning to have me fly the Natal-Dakar-Paris route. What a joy it will be to come and hug you so soon!” Two letters arrived at the Maures’ house… In Rio, Mermoz is celebrated every time he arrives. “I’ve just managed to complete the Buenos Aires–Rio trip in 14 hours for the first time. The Director is a true friend to me. […] Naturally, there’s no shortage of jealousy […] The Director is keeping me on as airport manager in Buenos Aires and, for the past two months, has been letting me draw both salaries—that of this position and that of a pilot—despite my refusal, since it was at my own request that I asked to resume my regular duties as a pilot”… During the performance of *Carmen* at the Buenos Aires Opera House on July 14, “the entire audience broke into *La Marseillaise* […] I’m not one for mindlessly sentimental patriotism, but […] I was deeply moved”… He shares an apartment with his friend Étienne… Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family