Wright Brothers, Orville Wright Historical Documents and Autographs

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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 100^th 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.

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1. CHARLES E. TAYLOR (1868-1956)	P	Picture
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. $1500.00
2. WILBUR WRIGHT		Picture
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		Picture
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		Picture
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 ACCOUNT BOOK		Picture
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		Picture
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 (1871-1949)		Picture
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.” $575.00
8. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. 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
9. WRIGHT BROTHERS		Picture
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
10. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Original check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, payable to Aviation for $3.00. Signed by Orville Wright on November 8, 1935. Aviation was one of the early aeronautic industry magazines, published by McGraw Hill. An interesting check showing Orville's lasting professional interest in the field he helped create. An especially bold and dark signature. $700.00
11. WRIGHT BROTHERS MEMORABILIA		Picture
“CONQUEST OF THE SKIES” WRIGHT BROTHERS PORTFOLIO. Very hard to find commemorative portfolio compiled by the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Published in 1978, on the 75^th Anniversary of the first flight, we are offering a few original, unissued copies for the 100^th Anniversary this year. $45.00 Attractive cardstock portfolio (with a map of the Kitty Hawk region on the inside) containing: 12” by 15” Photo of the First Flight 20-page Historical Booklet “First Flight: The Story of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s Invention of the Airplane.” Reproduction of the May 1900 five-page letter from Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute detailing his plans to build a flying machine. Two reproductions of the Wright’s calculations made on the back of scraps of wallpaper. Seven farmable copies of 8” by 10” photographs of Wright gliders and flyers. Two photographs of the lift balance in the wind tunnel, and the airfoils tested on the balance. Reproduction of the original 3-view drawing of the Kitty Hawk Flyer made by the Wrights on brown wrapping paper. Reproduction of the Wright Brothers’ first patent (with drawings) Reproduction of the telegram announcing the first flight. Reprint of the first published account of the Wrights’ successful development of the airplane (from “Gleanings in Bee Culture”)
12. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Check of the Winters National Bank & Trust Co., payable to the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for $25.00. Dated December 8, 1939, and boldly signed "Orville Wright." A great souvenir of Orville as patron of the (local) arts. Comes with a colorful Wright Brothers postcard suitable for framing. $575.00
13. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Check of the Winters National Bank & Trust Co., payable to the Allison Pattern Works for $14.90. Dated January 2, 1917, and boldly signed "Orville Wright." Comes with a lovely photograph of Orville & Wilbur suitable for framing. $575.00
14. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer, first pilot. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Excellent and early check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, dated November 16, 1912. Payable to the Anti-Saloon League of America, one of the leading Temperance organizations and a driving force behind Prohibition, for the generous sum of $100. Entirely made out, and boldly signed, by “Orville Wright.” Most Orville Wright checks are completed in another hand – this one is entirely Orville, and reinforces the personal nature of this donation to a cause that was close to his heart. $750.00.
15. ORVILLE WRIGHT (1871-1949)		Picture
Aviation pioneer, first pilot. Orville piloted the first powered aircraft, which he developed with his brother Wilbur, at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Intriguing check of the Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, dated February 1, 1944, payable to John Alex. The check was for $116.66 as payment for the rental of a laboratory on 15 N Broadway. Orville’s original partially printed note is still attached with its 60-year old pin! Boldly signed “Orville Wright.” SOLD