Lot #54 1929 (June 14) Argentina-Chile per the French aviator Jean Mermoz in "Croix du Sud" (= "Southern Cross") with Argentinian stamps & 'VIA AEREA/12JUN29/BUENOS AIRES' cds, 'SANTIAGO/15JUN29/RECEPCION' arrival b/s, signed by the pilot "Mermoz". Only 41 covers carried.

Description:

1929 (June 14) Argentina-Chile per the French aviator Jean Mermoz in "Croix du Sud" (= "Southern Cross") with Argentinian stamps & 'VIA AEREA/12JUN29/BUENOS AIRES' cds, 'SANTIAGO/15JUN29/RECEPCION' arrival b/s, signed by the pilot "Mermoz". Only 41 covers carried. Argentina & Chile have a common border so this doesn't sound like much of an achievement. However, Mermoz avoided the 1000 mile detour south of the Andes by flowing over the mountains, where he crashed but managed to relaunch by, in effect, diving off the peak! Virtually unknown in English-speaking circles, the Smithsonian named Mermoz at Number 9 on their list of the "10 All-Time Great Pilots".