In 1928, Santos Dumont wrote from France about the tragedy in Santos and his critical view of progress in Brazil.

• Handwritten letter from Alberto Santos-Dumont to Guilherme Villares.
• One page on a single sheet.
• 12.5 cm x 17.5 cm.
• In Portuguese.
• Paris region, March 10, 1928.
• Good condition, some minor signs of dampness.
• Unique piece.

Transcription

Dear Guilherme

Here I am with Gomes, who has been sick for 12 days with influenza and bronchitis. Since she's not a baby, this is already quite serious; but she's getting better. I have a lot of faith. I expect a few more days full of accidents in Santos, but it will be a bit of "conquest of the land" à la Carlos Sampaio. – I'm not saying that! It's in Brazil where there's land!! Here we are again with the cold and ice. Poor fruit trees that were already in bloom. I still have no news of Jorge!! I'm leaving, God willing, for Biarritz on April 1st. Greetings to Virginia and everyone, a hug from Alberto.

13.2.28 (Presided over in April)

On March 10, 1928, the city of Santos suffered the worst natural disaster in its history: the collapse of Mount Serrat. After days of intense rain, a huge mass of earth and rocks slid down the hillside, destroying houses and entire streets in the central region. The toll was tragic, with about 80 dead and dozens of families left homeless.

The event deeply affected Brazilian public opinion. The press highlighted the scale of the catastrophe and criticized the disorderly occupation of the city's hills. Curiously, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Monte Serrat, patron saint of Santos and located at the top of the hill, remained standing, which was interpreted by many as a sign of divine protection.

Three days after the tragedy, on March 13, 1928, Alberto Santos Dumont wrote a letter alluding to the “accidents of Santos.” The document shows how closely he followed the reality of his country even while living in France. When Santos Dumont writes that the “accidents of Santos” are “a conquest of the Earth à la Carlos Sampaio,” he is probably alluding—ironically—to the brutal way in which progress and large-scale projects (or here, a fatal landslide) transform the Brazilian urban landscape.

M. Guilherme Vilares (or Villars), the recipient of the 1928 letter, belonged to a family of European origin established in São Paulo and connected to the economic and cultural circles of the São Paulo elite, residing on Avenida Paulista. A long-time friend and correspondent of Santos Dumont, he was part of his inner circle in Brazil, receiving personal news and reflections from the inventor from France. The signature "Alberto" is very rare. This connection demonstrates Santos Dumont's close relationship with the intellectual and cosmopolitan elite of São Paulo, who closely followed his career and with whom he maintained a constant dialogue, even in exile.