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Lot #572
Wilbur Wright

A year before accomplishing his great flight, Wilbur shares his progress with fellow aviation pioneers

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Description

A year before accomplishing his great flight, Wilbur shares his progress with fellow aviation pioneers

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Wright Cycle Company letterhead, March 3, 1902. Letter to Edmund Doyle in San Francisco. In full: “The December number of the Journal of the Western Society of Engineers may be obtained of the secretary, Mr. J. H. Warder, Monadnock Building, Chicago, Ill. The price of single numbers is fifty cents each.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, a vertical and horizontal fold through signature, small and very light stain over beginning letters of signature, small tear to top edge, light mirroring of type to bottom portion of page, and several small holes to page, none affecting signature or text. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, missing part of the front panel.

Pre-dating their historic first flight by more than a year, this letter references a lengthy piece that appeared in the aforementioned publication. In that piece, entitled “Some Aeronautical Experiments,” Wright discussed some of “the difficulties which obstruct the pathway to success in flying-machine construction,” giving detailed engineering insight into the topic that he admits to being “very simple in theory.” In that article, goes through great pains to discuss an unmanned flight in 1900 at Kitty Hawk, a test run that would lead to a date with history. It’s no small wonder then that someone like Mr. Doyle, and presumably countless others, would want to read more about his experiments! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #357 - Ended May 12, 2010





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