SAINT-EXUPERY ANTOINE DE: (1900-1944) French Aristocrat, Pioneer Aviator and Writer, author of The Little Prince. A ...

SAINT-EXUPERY ANTOINE DE: (1900-1944) French Aristocrat, Pioneer Aviator and Writer, author of The Little Prince. A very fine, poignant Autograph Sentiment signed, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, in the form of a letter, one page, oblong 8vo (evidently removed from an album or visitors book), n.p. (Portugal), n.d. (annotated 2nd December 1940 in an unidentified hand at the foot of the page), to Pereira de Carvalho, in French. Saint-Exupery explains that he was already aware of Carvalho through two of his best friends, Jean-Gerard Fleury and Henri Guillaumet, who had included the Portuguese in their worship of his country, continuing 'And now I meet you by an inconceivable chance on the very day when we both lose Henri Guillaumet, a friend we loved' and further adding 'Allow me therefore to also declare myself your friend because the kindness of your welcome has moved me and it is now my turn to include you in my worship of Portugal - Also because Guillaumet was, in aviation, my eldest comrade and my guide, just as he had been in friendship'. A charming and beautifully written sentiment in honour of Guillaumet and a rare autograph document linking the great French aviators at a significant date. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Jean-Gerard Fleury (1905-2002) French Businessman, Aviator, Journalist & Writer. Henri Guillaumet (1902-1940) French Aviator, regarded by some as the best pilot of his age. Whilst carrying the mail between Argentina and Chile Guillaumet crashed his plane in bad weather conditions and, having survived, walked for a week over three mountain passes before being miraculously rescued. To his friend, Saint-Exupery, who had come to find Guillaumet, the pilot famously declared 'What I have done, I swear to you, no animal would have done'. Saint-Exupery went on to tell the remarkable adventure of his friend in his book Wind, Sand and Stars (1939). Guillaumet was shot down by an Italian fighter plane over the Mediterranean Sea on 27th November 1940 whilst en route to Syria with Jean Chiappe, the new French High Commissioner to the Levant. Saint-Exupery's statement is dated a few days after his friend's tragic death at the age of 38 although, given the circumstances, it is understandable that Guillaumet's death would have taken a few days to be confirmed.