Bank check, 6.5 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Wright as “Wright Brothers, W.W.,” payable to Hotel Manhattan for $200.00, November 17, 1910. Wright’s presence in Manhattan at this time was likely related to business matters involving the brothers’ year-old Wright Company; in the same month, Orville traveled to Europe to attend to the Wrights’ struggling German and French enterprises. Wilbur had already made history in New York in the previous year by piloting the first heavier-than-air flight over American waters, when he took off from Governor’s Island and circled the Statue of Liberty. With the “folly” of flight now strikingly demonstrated as a reality rich with possibilities, the feat thrust the Wright Brothers into the national spotlight and afforded them the status of heroes. Cancellation hole between “Wright” and “Brothers” (touching one letter of each word) and faint show-through from bank stamps on reverse, otherwise fine, clean condition. A notable aviation scarcity made even more desirable by the addition of the famous “fraternal” signature! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
