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Lot #735
Orville Wright

Wright declines the opportunity to lead the “committee on the historical exhibit of aircraft for the forthcoming Chicago Exposition”

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Description

Wright declines the opportunity to lead the “committee on the historical exhibit of aircraft for the forthcoming Chicago Exposition”

TLS, one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, March 16, 1931. Letter to Hiram Bingham, then president of the National Aeronautic Association. In part: “I can not bring myself to accepting the chairmanship of the committee on the historical exhibit of aircraft for the forthcoming Chicago Exposition. I am becoming more and more loath to accept appointments where I will not be able to be present to take an active part. I have had several experiences in the past few years which have brought home to me the folly of accepting membership on boards in which I can not be active, but for whose foolish acts I receive a good deal of the credit.” In fine condition, with mild creases and toning, rusty paperclip mark to the upper left, and an office stamp to the lower right. Among the exhibits at the 1933–34 Chicago World’s Fair, themed ‘A Century of Progress,’ was an outdoor pageant called ‘Wings of a Century,’ which featured a model of the 1903 Wright Brothers’ aircraft. Wright had always been reluctant to become involved with the Exposition—in 1930 he was asked if the real Wright Flyer, which was on display at the Science Museum of London, could be brought to Chicago, he replied, ‘It may be possible to bring the machine to Chicago for temporary exhibition, but it is only a vague possibility and I’d rather not speak of such nebulous things.’ Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Rare Manuscript, Document & Autograph
  • Dates: #404 - Ended March 13, 2013





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