GUINGAND (Suzanne) - Lot 78

GUINGAND (Suzanne) Long autograph letter to Jacques Mortane, Chantebois près Montbazon, s.d. [ca. 1918-1919]. 4 pp. in-4, mounted on black tabs. Important and moving letter from Suzanne Guingand, mother of pilot Gilbert de Guingand, who died accidentally in an airplane on October 22, 1918, addressed to aviation writer and journalist Jacques Mortane. In this long letter, the bereaved mother thanks Mortane for the tribute paid to her son, and evokes fond memories of the young aviator. In particular, she underlines "the writer's great talent" and the sensitivity with which he evoked the fallen officers: "[...] the emotion caused by the presence of these valiant officers who represented my Gilbert [...]". She then returns to the logbooks and flight notes preserved after the pilot's death, giving precious details of his aeronautical training and military activities: "[...] he was taking me up to 526 from which he crossed the lines and he missed more than two months [...]" The letter also contains several references to the pilot's officers and comrades, including Commandant Révérend and Commandant Duseigneur, as well as Deullin, whose life he owed to his son: "[...] I have not recounted how Deullin, without knowing it, had his life saved thanks to my Bert [...]" A very fine testimony to family and patriotic memory of the French aviators of the Great War, combining personal emotion, military memories and first-hand documentation on French aviation in 1918. Well-preserved, despite a few creases and slight mounting marks.