On a visit to Brazil in 1935, shortly after crossing the South Atlantic, Jean Batten thanked an admirer for his compliment.

• Letter signed by Jean Batten to an admirer.
• Rio de Janeiro, November 21, 1935.
• In English.
• One page.
• 24.7 cm x 18.7 cm.
• Good condition of conservation.
• Unique piece.

When we talk about “aviation pioneers,” we forget about female pioneers. In fact, there were women involved and decisive in all inventions, directly or indirectly. Genius and courage have no gender, and in the coming months and years I intend to introduce you to even more glorious women who were underestimated and deserve our attention.

Today I want to tell you about one of them, who fascinated me a lot: Jean Batten . In her time, she was very famous and attracted crowds. The reason for her fame? A mix of audacity, beauty (she was called “Garbo of the Skies”) and above all her many records for distance and flight time, at a time when airplanes were still unreliable and there were very few female pilots, due to machismo.

After her first flight from Britain to Australia, she set a world record on November 13, 1935, by flying from Britain to Brazil in thirteen hours and fifteen minutes. It was on this occasion that she wrote and signed this short letter in Rio de Janeiro. Jean was awarded the National Order of the Southern Cross, becoming the first person - other than a member of the Royal Family - to be honored for this record. She then performed another incredible feat by flying from England to her native New Zealand.

In 1938, Jean was the first woman to receive the Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the highest honor in aviation. However, the Second World War put an end to her flying adventures. Although gradually forgotten, the international terminal at Auckland Airport is named after her. And she will forever be part of the exclusive club of aviation pioneers (pioneers!)

This simple letter caught my attention for several reasons. First, it deals with the beginning of aviation, a fascinating subject that I learned to explore with Santos Dumont. Second, it is about an exceptional woman, whom I admire. And third, this letter was written in Brazil, a week after one of her greatest achievements, the crossing of the South Atlantic. I make this trip several times a year, comfortably seated in my seat on the enormous Airbus, and I am sure that next time I will think of Jean who made this journey alone, in her small plane.