"I absolutely do not want to exploit my name or allow it to be exploited."

• Handwritten letter from Santos Dumont to Tissandier.
• One page.
• In French.
• 22.2 cm x 28.2 cm.
• November 7, 1927.
• Spain.
• Perfect condition conservation.
• Unique piece.
  

Transcription in French

Dear Tissandier

Oui, Besançon m'a déjà écrit et aussi un des Ministres du Gouvernement du Brésil m'a déjà avant lui télégraphié faisant la même demande. Bien understand, je ne pouvais la lui refuser et j'ai déjà dit à Besançon le précédent étant ouvert et moi ne voulant d´aucune manière exploiter mon nom ni qu´on ne l'exploite non plus ; c'est avec grand plaisir et honneur que je donne la permission à Latecoere. Je pars ici pour une dizaine de jours et après à Paris.

Hommages to Madame Tissandier.

Good souvenir from l´ami Santos Dumont.

I arrange
Penharenda de Bracamonte

Spain 7.11.27

Translation in Portuguese

Dear Tissandier,

Yes, Besançon already wrote to me, and one of the Ministers of the Brazilian Government had also telegraphed me before him, making the same request. Of course, I couldn't refuse, and I already told Besançon, the precedent being set, and not wanting in any way to exploit my name or allow it to be exploited; it is with great pleasure and honor that I grant permission to Latecoere. I'm leaving here in about ten days and then going to Paris.

Greetings to Madame Tissandier.
Good memories of a friend,

Santos Dumont.

I arrange
Penharenda de Bracamonte

Spain, November 7, 2027

In 1927, Santos Dumont was a world-renowned figure for his aviation achievements. He lived away from major cities, notably in Spain, which perhaps reflects a desire to distance himself from the commotion associated with his fame and his declining health.

In this letter, Besançon – perhaps Georges? Another aviation pioneer who also directed the magazine L'Aérophile – as well as a Brazilian government minister, request permission from Santos Dumont, probably related to the use of his name or inventions. This letter shows that, despite his reluctance to exploit his name for commercial or other purposes, Santos Dumont feels honored and agrees to grant this permission to Latécoère, Pierre-Gorges, or his brother, two important French figures from those early days of aviation. I don't know more details at the moment, but we are researching with other enthusiasts.

This letter is important because it allows us to learn a little more about Santos Dumont, especially his state of mind at the end of his life, as well as his relationships with other pioneers of those first decades of aviation. He was appreciated, admired, and consulted by most of these men, French or from other countries, because he was an approachable and generous man. This "Spanish" letter is the only one I have seen in 15 years of research on Santos Dumont.