COUTIL (Léon Marie). - Lot 80

COUTIL (Léon Marie). Villiers-en-Vexin, 1856–1935. Norman engraver, archaeologist, and scholar. Founder of the Commission for Antiquities of the Eure Department and the Norman Society for Prehistoric Studies. Autograph letter to an unidentified correspondent, Saint-Pierre-du-Vauvray (Eure), July 28, 1912, 2 pp. ½ in-8. An interesting autograph letter signed by Léon Coutil, a leading figure in Norman archaeology at the turn of the 20th century, who combined historical research, pioneering aeronautics, and regional scholarship. In this long and lively letter, Coutil thanks his correspondent for sending a note on Dom Gourdin and aerostats, accompanied by an autographed item, which supplements his documentation on Blanchard, whom he refers to as “my compatriot.” The most interesting passage concerns the early aeronautical experiments in Rouen: “a vignette depicting Blanchard’s experiment in Rouen” He discusses the difficulties he encountered in locating this image, his efforts to contact collectors and printers, as well as its use during aviation festivals. The letter then turns to his scholarly activities, particularly regarding the unveiling of a monument in Petit-Andely, with a particularly witty remark: “a horrible monument, by the way” Finally, Coutil announces his upcoming scientific travels, including: a conference in Angoulême a visit to the prehistoric sites along the Vézère River A wonderful account of the network of provincial scholars, learned societies, and the early history of aeronautics. Beautifully written, easy to read, and a comprehensive document.