191 - LARGE BROWN LEATHER AVIATOR COAT BY JEAN MERMOZ

LARGE BROWN LEATHER AVIATOR COAT BY JEAN MERMOZ Most likely worn on March 2, 1929, during his emergency landing in the Andes Mountains Torn label from RAGLENA Portique des Champs-Élysées. Fastens with four braided leather buttons. Fold-down collar fastens with a snap. Two side pockets and one chest pocket with a flap. Cuffs with buckle fasteners. Belt at the waist. Signs of wear and tears on the back resulting from the landing in the Andes. H.: 109 cm Included: - A typewritten label reading: “Leather coat worn by Mermoz during his perilous crossing of the Andes on February 28, 1929, with a passenger, the Count de la Vaulx. Forced to land on a sloping plateau at an altitude of 2,800 m leading to a precipice, Mermoz jumped to the ground and blocked the wheels of his ‘LATE’ by lying down in front of the aircraft.” - An envelope handwritten by Jean Mermoz’s mother “Notes from Jean found in the leather coat,” containing: - A letter from the Auvergne Aero Club and a money order addressed to him. - Two weather reports. - Fifteen notes written in pencil, navigation notes. - A note written in pen regarding weather probabilities on January 9 and 10, 1933, between Istres and the Equator. From Jean Mermoz’s large brown leather aviator coat Provenance: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family