France - Aviation

A superb historical and documentary collection comprising about fifteen original vintage photographs (circa 1925-1935). This lot traces the great saga of French aviation in the interwar period, with exceptional emphasis on the legendary Latécoère aeronautical construction plants (Toulouse). A true treasure for aeronautical collectors and enthusiasts of Aéropostale. Details of the shots: Legendaries aircraft (Latécoère): Remarkable, very clear views of historic machines, including a superb Latécoère 28.2 (the iconic aircraft of Jean Mermoz's early South Atlantic crossings) parked in front of vast glass-walled hangars, as well as an imposing Latécoère 49.0 resting on a grassy field. Also present are other touring or liaison biplanes (registration F-BDF visible). Industrial history (Latécoère factories): An invaluable archival document offering a panoramic view inside the assembly workshops. The assembly lines, workers at work, and numerous fuselages and wings of aircraft under construction are clearly visible. Aerial views and flight takes: Magnificent reconnaissance and landscape photographs from the air, including overflight of a vast railway-industrial complex, a very beautiful downward view of a coastal city (seafront, beach and jetty), and a mountainous view taken through the rigging of a biplane in flight. Military aviation and portraits: The lot includes large group photographs mixing uniformed pilots and civilians, individual portraits of military personnel, as well as a scene of decorations being awarded during an official ceremony in the city center (in front of the department store "Au Printemps"). Condition and features: Prints: Original silver gelatine prints. Several photographs have a divided-back type "Carte Postale". Condition: Very good overall for documents nearly a century old. Beautiful black-and-white tones, good sharpness. Some light signs of aging and vintage handwritten annotations on the backs of some prints (please carefully examine the back photos provided in the listing). Ideal for historians, archivists, or discerning collectors of philately and vintage aeronautical photographs. The lot is sold as a single indivisible lot.

Estimate:£125.77

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