COSTES (Dieudonné). - Lot 30

COSTES (Dieudonné). Born in Septfonds, 1892-1973. French aviator, one of the great Aces of the Army of the East, famous for the first non-stop South Atlantic crossing in 1927, then for the first non-stop North Atlantic crossing in the east-west direction, achieved with Maurice Bellonte in 1930. Autograph letter signed "D. Costes" addressed to Jacques Mortane. S.l., December 8, 1930. Set of 2 in-8 leaves, one with handwritten notes in pencil, the other with autograph dispatch in blue ink and signature. Rare testimonial from the immediate entourage of the heroic French air force of the interwar period. Dieudonné Costes pays a warm tribute to Jacques Mortane, writer and journalist specializing in aeronautical exploits, just a few weeks after Maurice Bellonte's resounding North Atlantic crossing aboard the Point d'Interrogation. The autograph note, written in blue ink, reads: "À Mortane mon amitié et mes vœux et sincères souvenirs, 8 décembre 1930", followed by Costes' signature. A second typed bill attached adds: "Reçois cher Mortane une bien sincère poignée de main, et encore une fois merci." The document is written on the reverse of a worksheet bearing various handwritten notes relating to a meeting of the "Association des Pro. Aero", mentioning several figures from the aeronautical world of the time. The whole captures the atmosphere of the networks of aviators, journalists and promoters of French aviation at the time of its golden age. A fine piece of aeronautical provenance, combining transatlantic exploit, specialized press and the sociability of the aviation world in the 1930s.