NAUTISM - Lot 63

NAUTISM Four books by Virginie Hériot (1890-1932) with dispatch from the sailor "Goellette Ailée" ( 1927), "Le bateau de mon enfance" (1928), "Ailée s'en va..." (1928), "Une Ame à la mer" (1931), Edition Les gémeaux Paris + 1 brochure "Tressons des couronnes d'algues vertes" declining his admiration for Alain Gerbault in an article published in Le Havre on July 17, 1929 copy N°56 of one hundred author's copies + 2 letters on the letterhead of his boat "Ailée" and of Y.C.F. (as a member of the Yacht Club de France) + photo of his boat Ailée 2. Virginie Hériot (1890-1932) was a French sailor and gold medallist in sailing at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games. Although she disappeared almost a century ago, her memory is still very much alive: a street in Brest, La Rochelle, Quimper or Arcachon bears her name. What's more, in April 2024, Maritime Affairs in Marseille christened their new boat the Virginie Hériot. Finally, during the summer of 2024, an exhibition entitled "Virginie Hériot, une navigatrice au sommet de l'Olympe" was held at the Musée National de la Marine in Port Louis (Lorient). How do you explain Virginie Hériot's enduring fame? An exceptional track record: 300 regattas raced and 85 victories (Olympic champion, French Cup, Italian Cup, etc.). But also a very modern personality for her time: she helms her own yachts, manages her crews composed exclusively of sailors, monitors and checks the construction of her boats, always on the lookout for innovation. Now a true star in nautical circles, she has the visibility and renown needed to become a true ambassador of French tourism and technology abroad. All 4 books are signed and autographed by Virginie Henriot, and are addressed to Monsieur Massieu, then President of what is now the Fédération Française de Voile: - Goélette Ailée with a preface by Pierre Lyautey: signed "Virginie Henriot Ailée 1928". - Le Bateau de mon enfance: dedicated "In memory of dear old Salvador, Virginie Henriot, Ailée 1928". Salvador is the name of the yacht Katoomba, later renamed Salvador, on which she made her 1st cruise with family friends in 1904. - Ailée s'en va... dedicated "in memory of the IX Olympiad, with my gratitude. Virginie Hériot, Ailée 1928". (The IX th Olympiad corresponds to the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where Virginie Hériot won. Virginie Hériot won the gold medal). - Une âme à la mer accompanied by its presentation booklet and signed "Virginie Hériot 1931". - Brochure "Tressons des couronnes d'Algues vertes", one hundred author's copies numbered from 1 to 100, this one numbered 56 and 1,250 inserts reserved for the Yacht Club de France. Caen, 1929. In-4 paperback, 6 pages, unpaginated, with text printed on illustrated background, in-text drawings. Written by Virginie Hériot on July 17, 1929, at the time of her departure to race in the Coupe de France. At the time, Alain Gerbault's return from his solo round-the-world voyage was expected any day now (he would actually arrive in Le Havre on July 29 July 1929). - Photo of the boat Ailée 2, a 45-meter schooner, in Cannes in 1924. - 2 handwritten letters, one with envelope. Letters on the letterhead of his boat "Ailée" and of Y.C.F. (as a member of the Yacht Club de France). The first, dated January 4, 1929, is addressed to Mr. Massieu, President of the Sociétés Nautiques Françaises (U.S.N.F), now the Fédération Française de Voile, and one of the organizers of the Salon Nautique. She sends him her last 3 books, which are above. The second letter, dated July 16, 1932, is more friendly in tone. She tells him about her recent victories and the VIIth boat show. Attached is a representation of the actors in the 1930 Cannes International regattas by Robert de Coninck, with the names of the characters on the back, including Virginie Hériot. Finally, a map of the Yacht Club de France engraved by Gustave Alaux (1887-1965) with texts by JP Alaux and F Dussaut from September 1930, printed by Draeger.