284 - [MERMOZ - KESSEL - PRANVILLE]

[MERMOZ - KESSEL - PRANVILLE] A collection of books from the library of Gabrielle Mermoz-Gillet. An interesting collection of books given to Jean Mermoz’s mother. – KESSEL (Joseph). *La Fontaine Médicis*. Paris, NRF, Gallimard, 1950. In-8 (20.8 x 13.9 cm), paperback. First edition of the first volume of *La Tour du malheur*. Limited edition of 160 copies; this is one of the 50 non-commercial copies, printed especially for Madame G. Mermoz. Dedication from Kessel to Gabrielle Mermoz: “To you, dear Mom Gaby, with all my love.” Dirty cover and slightly torn spine. – KESSEL (Joseph). *Les Lauriers roses*. Paris, NRF, Gallimard, 1950. In-8 (20.8 x 13.9 cm), paperback. First edition of the third volume of *La Tour du malheur*. Limited edition of 160 copies; this is one of the 50 non-commercial copies, printed especially for Mrs. G. Mermoz. Sent by Kessel to Gabrielle Mermoz: “Dear Mom Gaby, here is this book and all my love to welcome your return.” Worn cover; front cover missing. – KESSEL (Joseph). *L’Équipage*. Paris, nrf, Gallimard, 1928. In-12 (18.8 x 11.8 cm), paperback, uncut. New edition based on the original 1923 edition. It is marked as the 232nd edition. Dirty cover with a tear and missing section. – [RESCHOFSKY].– KESSEL (Joseph). *Fortune Carrée*. Paris, Hachette, 1949. In-12 (16.4 x 11.6 cm), green percaline Bradel binding, smooth spine with gold bands (publisher’s binding). Edition illustrated with artwork by Jean Reschofsky and a map. Spine sun-faded, corners worn. – SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de). *Courrier sud*. Paris, nrf, Gallimard, 1941. In-12 (18.7 x 11.8 cm), paperback. New edition based on the original 1929 edition. It is labeled as the 42nd edition. Dirty cover, stain at the bottom of the spine, small tears at the fore-edge, pinholes on some pages. – SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de). Œuvres complètes. Paris, NRF, Gallimard, 1950. In-8 (22.3 x 17.7 cm), cream percaline cloth decorated with lines, waves, and blue and gold stars; smooth spine adorned with blue and gold motifs (publisher’s binding based on a design by Paul Bonet). An edition of Saint-Exupéry’s complete works, richly illustrated with compositions based on watercolors and drawings by Derain, Segonzac, Saint-Exupéry, and others. A gift from Dora to Gabrielle Mermoz: “All three of us send you our love and wish you a happy return to ‘Douce France’ and great success for your project, the Aérium des Croix […].” In the 1950s, Gabrielle Mermoz founded the Jean Mermoz Foundation, also known as the Aérium des Croix, in honor of her son. Its primary mission was to take in the orphans of pilots from the military and commercial aviation sectors, as well as from the army and navy. – SAINT-EXUPÉRY (Antoine de). *Terre des Hommes*. Audenarde, Sanderus, 1950. In-12 (18.4 x 13.2 cm), paperback. New edition with an introduction by Armand Bottequin, Ph.D. in Philosophy and Literature, for the Classiques et Modernes collection. A gift from Bottequin to Gabrielle Mermoz: “To Mrs. Mermoz as a token of respectful gratitude. Mt. St. Amand (Ghent), February 21, 1950.” Cover partially detached. – BOTTEQUIN (Armand). Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Essay. Oudenaarde, Sanderus; Brussels, Auguste de Boeck, 1949. In-8 (20.7 x 14.7 cm), paperback. First edition. Dedication by Bottequin: “To Mrs. G. Mermoz as a token of gratitude and respectful sympathy. September 30, ’49.” Cover soiled and worn, with tears and missing material. – [COMPANIA DE LAS LINEAS AÉREAS LATÉCOÈRE] La red aérea. Paris, Lineas aéreas Latécoère, n.d. In-8 (18 x 13.1 cm), paperback. Copy inscribed to Jean Mermoz. A small brochure presented by the Latécoère Airlines Company to “its friends” in Spain and South America to thank them for the proposed air route between France, Spain, and South America. In 1927, the company was acquired and became the Compagnie générale aéropostale, made famous by Saint-Exupéry and Mermoz. Cover slightly soiled and rubbed. – CHATEAUBRIAND (François-René de). *Atala. The Last of the Abenceres*. Paris, Librairie Gründ, n.d. In-8 (18.9 x 11.6 cm), paperback. A later edition of this famous work by Chateaubriand from the library of Gabrielle Mermoz. Cover slightly soiled and rubbed; pages browned. Included with this item: – FLEURY (Jean-Gérard). La ligne. On Mermoz, Guillaumet, Saint-Exupéry, and Their Contemporaries. Paris, NRF, Gallimard, 1949. In-8 (21.7 x 14.2 cm), paperback. A new edition based on the original 1939 edition. It is labeled as the 11th edition. Sent by Fleury to “Mr. Pranville, son of one of the truest heroes of [the line], with my warmest regards,”