[ L'affaire de l'Aéropostale (The l'Aéropostale Scandal), 1931-1932. ] 16 signed caricatures by 'Dukercy', and 62 press photographs, of the court case resulting from the scandal involving the French airline, which led to the formation of Air France.

The scandal resulted in the dissolution of the company in 1932, and its merging with others to form Air France. In their 'France and Fascism: February 1934 and the Dynamics of Political Crisis' (Routledge, 2015), Jenkins and Millington explain the background as follows: 'In 1931, it was revealed that the owners of the prestigious airline Aéropostale, the Bouilloux-Lafont family, had diverted Aéropostale's government subsidies into other struggling companies they controlled. When these collapsed, Aéropostale fell with them. The scandal discredited not only the influential deputy Maurice Bouilloux-Lafont, but also Pierre-Etienne Flandin, whose position as the company's legal advisor appeared incompatible with his ministerial repsonsibilities'. The scandal is dealt with in detail in Nicolas Neiertz's 'Argent, Politique et Aviation. L'affaire de l'Aéropostale (1931-1932)' (Vingtième-Siecle, 1989). The collection presents a vivid and immediate picture of a great scandal in early twentieth-century France. It is in good condition, lightly aged and worn. CARICATURES: On ten pieces of paper and five pieces of tracing paper. Ranging in size from roughly 7 x 9.5 cm to 21 x 20.5 cm. The largest piece of paper heavily creased and worn, and some creasing throughout. The caricatures are drawn in a bold, simple style. All 15 appear to have been drawn in court, with eight on leaves torn from ring-bound notebooks. All but three are signed, and all but two are captioned with the identity of the subject. Typical captions include 'Picherie à l'audience', 'le baron Reille témoin', 'le President Texier' and 'Vacher liquidateur judiciaire de l'Aeropostale'. Many carry similar inscriptions to the following: 'P. J | 1 Col | Minuit'. PHOTOGRAPHS: All black and white, ranging between 7.5 x 11.5 cm and 18 x 23.5 cm in size, with most of the prints 18 x 13 cm. Several of the photographs carry stamps on the reverse of four press agencies: Agence Rol, Mondial Photo Presse, Keystone, Wide World Photos. Several marked up and touched up in ink for publication. Most with captions on reverse, either in ink manuscript, or typewritten on labels. Almost all the images depict individuals involved in the case ('Le procès de l'Aéropostale aux Assizes' and 'devant les Assizes de la Seine'), with some courtroom scenes and views. Lawyers are often shown in the course of their pleadings, and witnesses giving evidence or in the dock. Several of the photographs glued up into groups for photolitho newspaper reproduction. Typical captions: 'Voici Mr. Paul Louis Weiller répondant à une question de maitre Jean Charles Legrand' (25 March 1933), 'PARIS. - Les débats sur l'affaire de l'Aéropostale se poursuivent. (2ème JOURNEE): Fin des Interrogatoires et premiers témoignages. | N/ photo représente M. PIETRI, ancien ministre, faisant sa déposition à la barre des témoins.', '7 Octobre 1932. Les affaires d'aviation. Lucien Collin, dit Lucco, photographié au Palais de Justice, à ses côtés Me Hubert, son défenseur et au second plan Me Laval.' and '27 November 1932. La plainte en faux du Ministère de l'Air. MM André Bouilloux-Lafont, Lucco et P. L. Weiller ont été confrontés hier par Monsieur rack juge d'Instruction. Monsieur P. L. Weiller s'entretient avec des journalistes à la sortie du cabinet de Mr. Brack.' Two small photographs of Charles Picherie attached to piece of paper bearing a few biographical details in manuscript.