NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2005 Mar 16 @ 10:00UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
HISTORIC WRIGHT BROTHERS MATERIALS BELONGING TO CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND HELEN McFADDEN. This wonderful lot of items was the property of Helen McFadden, later married to Lt. Commander R. M. Comfort. Miss McFadden was a very close friend of Katharine Wright and her famous brothers Orville and Wilbur. Included is a printed silk American flag, approx. 15” x 11-1/2”, that according to family history was flown from the Wright flyer when Orville was demonstrating it to military officers and government officials of Germany. Supporting that identification, the flag is inscribed in ink, “To Helen McFadden with my compliments - Berlin: Oct 15th, 1909 Orville Wright”. Interestingly, October 15th was the date of Orville’s last flight in Berlin. He delayed his departure from Germany, and made a 25 minute demonstration flight for Kaiser Wilhelm on that date. Earlier, Orville had taken Crown Prince Wilhelm, the Kaiser’s son for a flight, for which the Kaiser confined the prince to his quarters as punishment for his recklessness. Also included in this lot is a color French postcard dated March 4,1913, sent from Katharine to Miss McFadden detailing a women’s suffrage parade that Katharine had attended. McFadden’s address book is also included, and bears birth dates and addresses for the three Wright siblings, as well as a notation that Orville flew in Europe Oct. 15, 1909. The lot also contains a letter from Katharine in 1920 explaining why she has not heard from “either of us” (meaning Orville or herself, since Wilbur had died in 1912 from typhoid) - the Wrights had not written in a while because Orville was suffering through a painful bout with “sciatica” and she was busy nursing him full-time. She expressed their pleasure, however that Helen had christened the “Wilbur Wright” (officially the “U.S.S. Wright”, but the Wright siblings apparently wanted to honor Wilbur). The “Wright” was the Navy’s first aircraft tender - first carrying lighter-than-air craft, and later refitted to service, airplanes. By this time, Helen McFadden had become Mrs. Roland M. Comfort, and included in the lot is a letter from Lt. Cmdr. Comfort to his superiors requesting two days leave of absence so that he might accompany his wife to the launching of the U.S.S. Wright, Helen having been selected to sponsor and christen the vessel. There are three nice 4-1/4” x 6-1/4” sepia-toned photos of Helen (McFadden) Comfort at the christening, including a fine photo of her smashing the champagne bottle against the bow. The neck of that champagne bottle, encased in its heavy wire-mesh netting is also included in this lot. It is decorated with red, white, and blue ribbons, two of which are imprinted in gold “A.I.S.C. HOG ISLAND, PA.” and “U.S.S. Wright”. Finally, there is a very nice candid snapshot of Orville at home with his St. Bernard. On the back of the photo is the inked inscription “Orville - sent by Katharine”. CONDITION: Very good overall. Wonderful Wright archive lovingly preserved by a dear family friend. This may be the most compelling group of materials relating to the Wright brothers and their sister to be offered in many years. 4-54340 SO38 (3,000-5,000)
Auction Location:
United States
Previewing Details:
Monday, March 14 9:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday, March 15 8:00-10:00am
Wednesday, March 16 8:00-10:00am
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