Wright Brothers

On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright piloted the first flight of a self-powered airplane, the “Wright Flyer,” that he had designed and built in collaboration with his brother Wilbur Wright.  Orville’s 27-second, 120-foot flight across the dunes at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, changed the world.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of this event that was not only one of the most important moments in the twentieth century, but one of the most significant events in human history. View Additional AVIATION Items

1. CHARLES E. TAYLOR (1868-1956). Wright Brothers’ Craftsman, Engineer, Engine Mechanic.  He helped the Wright Brothers with the wind tunnel testing of their first gliders, and was later tasked with building the engine that would power the first airplane.   An extraordinary craftsman, Taylor hand-built the unique custom engine that propelled the Wright Flyer to success at Kitty Hawk.  The First Flight could not have succeeded without him.  A check written one year after the historic First Flight, payable to C. E. Taylor.  Written entirely by Orville Wright, who signed the check “Wright Cycle Co., o.w.”  Endorsed with Taylor’s signature on the reverse “C. E. Taylor.”  A great piece of aviation history signed by both the first pilot and the man who built the first airplane engine.  Checks (of any sort) on the Wrights’ Cycle Company account are very scarce. $2900.00

2. WILBUR WRIGHT.   Aviation pioneer, co-inventor of the airplane along with his brother Orville.  Wright Cycle Company check made out Wm. J. Hammer.  Dated October 15, 1909.  Signed “Wright Brothers, w.w.”  Most Wright Brothers checks that surface on the market are signed by Lorin Wright, Orville and Wilbur’s brother and business partner – some few are signed and initialed by Orville Wright.   Anything signed by Wilbur Wright, however, is considered extremely rare, since he died in 1912.  This entire document is filled out and signed in Wilbur’s hand. $4500.00

3. WRIGHT CYCLE COMPANY.  Wright Cycle Co. check dated  December 26, 1907, made out and signed “Wright Cycle Co., o. w.” by Orville Wright, co-inventor of the airplane.  Payable to the Wright Brothers’ sister, Katherine Wright.  Along with younger brother Lorin, she managed the day-to-day business affairs of the Wright Cycle Company.  This is a very rare example of the Wright Brother’s Bicycle Company account, entirely in the hand of Orville Wright, and is one of only a handful of these documents in private hands. A rare artifact from the bicycle shop that changed the world. $1350.00

4. WILBUR WRIGHT’S CHECKBOOK. Wilbur’s 1909 Wright Brothers’ checkbook with fourteen entries including two for the clerk of the US Court for $50.  One cancelled check written and signed by Wilbur Wright, payable to Standard Oil of New York, is included.  The check is dated October 1, 1909, and signed “Wright Brothers, w.w.”  The checkbook contains another thirty-four unused checks.   A tantalizing pencil inscription is on the inside cover, “Bleriot, 49 & Broadway.”  Louis Bleriot was a French pioneer aviator who became the first man to fly across the English Channel on July 25, 1909.  An extraordinarily rare Wright Brothers financial item, directly from the Brothers’ estate. (Price on Request)

5. WRIGHT BROTHERS 1908 BANK ACCOUNT BOOK. An account book of the winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio, for the Wrights Brothers.  The first entry is for $2,487.50 on January 27, 1908, and the last is October 26, 1912, (the year of Wilbur’s death) showing a balance of $51.10.   The total deposits during this period amounted to over half a million dollars!  A rare and absolutely unique Wright Brothers financial item.  (Price on Request)

6. ORVILLE WRIGHT’S BANK DEPOSIT BOOK.  An account book of the Winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio in account with Orville Wright.  The first deposit is dated October 26, 1912, for $4,000.00 and the last entry is dated April 4, 1918, showing a balance of $382.53.  During this period of time Orville’s deposits totaled $1,253,936.54!  There are sixteen pages of entries, with the largest deposit being made on October 25, 1916, for $257,910.94.  This unique financial item provides fascinating insight regarding the cash flow for the co-inventor of the airplane. (Price on Request)

7. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948). Aviation pioneer.  Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903.  Check of the City National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, payable to long-time Wright Brothers secretary Mabel Beck for $20.00.  Dated December 4, 1920, and signed “Orville Wright.” $675.00

8. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948).  Check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, payable to the man who built the Wright Brothers’ first airplane engine, Charles E. Taylor.  Dated August 4, 1917, and signed “Orville Wright.”  Endorsed on the reverse, “C. E. Taylor.”  A great piece of aviation history signed by both the first pilot and the man who built the Wright’s first successful airplane engine.  SOLD

9. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1948).  Original check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, payable to the Dayton Power & Light Co. for $9.11.  Signed by Orville Wright on August 18, 1917.  An excellent bold and dark signature.   $650.00

10. WRIGHT BROTHERS. Original check of the Wright Brothers, drawn on the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, for $10.21 payable to the Postal Telegraph and Cable Co.  Dated October 3, 1911, and signed “Wright Brothers” by older brother and business manager Lorin Wright.  $175.00