[Maurice BELLONTE (1896-1984), aviator; with Dieudonné Coste - Lot 237

Lot 237
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Estimation :
300 - 400 EUR
[Maurice BELLONTE (1896-1984), aviator; with Dieudonné Coste - Lot 237
[Maurice BELLONTE (1896-1984), aviator; with Dieudonné Costes, he set the world record for straight-line distance (Sept. 1929) and then made the first crossing of the North Atlantic from east to west (Paris-New York, Sept. 1930). Interesting set on Dieudonné COSTES, their collaboration then their quarrel. - Autograph manuscript of Maurice Bellonte, much corrected, 3 ½ pp. in-4, [1948]. "I knew Costes in 1923 when he joined the Air Union and I did not lose sight of him until 1940. During that time I had all the time in the world to get to know his character which was not always easy. However, I must say that professionally I always got along perfectly []. Last year, the news of Costes' indictment had completely stunned me [he had been arrested in 1947 and charged with espionage]. It was impossible for me to believe that my former shipmate could be blamed for such serious things []". - Important set of more than fifty autograph notes of Maurice Bellonte on Costes, reflections and anecdotes, often bitter, on Costes: "The zeal of C. was calculated and more spectacular than really devoted". "C. is of a total insensitivity to this kind of considerations". "For my part, I will not discuss the possibility of possible contacts between Costes and myself. But if they were really useful or desirable, others than me, and C. in particular, could have thought of them earlier. "Costes had left the ? at Bréguet's but stored it was in the way of Bréguet who had to free the hangar. Bréguet asked Costes several times to remove the plane. C. does not answer. When he had to make a final decision, Bréguet asked Dollfus from the Musée de l'Air to intervene. This one gets in touch with C. who says, conciliatory: Take it, it is the best thing that can happen to it [] ". "Costes was not romantic. He never hid the fact that he was in aviation, above all, to make money", etc. Various other documents are attached.
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