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464

Orville Wright

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Orville Wright

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Auction Date:2011 Jan 12 @ 16:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS, two pages, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, May 16, 1940. Letter to John Walter Wood. Wood was writing his book Airports: Some Elements of Design and Future Development and frequently wrote Wright to check for accuracy of his research. Retained carbons of Wood’s February 21st and 27th letters to Wright are present. In this letter, Wright answers questions posed by Wood in these two letters. In part: “Page 2, bottom of page, a quotation from Dr. Lewis’ Wilbur Wright Lecture is given, as taken from Aero Digest of August, 1939. The quotation omits several words of the original address as it appeared in the Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, October, 1939. I looked through Aero Digest of August, but failed to find it. The omitted words ‘in later years’ belong in the last sentence just before ‘I need not recount’. I think it best to give quotations verbatim, unless omissions are indicated; and that, when possible, the original source should be given.

I assume that your copy of the Aero Club of America Bulletin is correct. I have not proofread it. Page 6, last paragraph: The Wright Memorial at Kitty Hawk was dedicated in November, 1932. Page 7, first paragraph: The statement that Kill Devil Hill has moved about a quarter of a mile south since the early years of our experiments there is not correct. The base of the hill at that time was a little over 1200 feet from the spot on which the boulder now stands. I can not believe it is more than 1600 or 1700 feet from the boulder now. Maybe the reference to the hill moving had better be omitted. Referring to your letter of February 21st. The weight of the bare motor was 152 pounds; with magneto it weighed 170 pounds.” Staple hole to top left corner, light paperclip mark to top of first page, and punch holes to top edges of both pages, otherwise fine condition.

Orville Wright made his historic first flight on December 17, 1903, lifting off from Kill Devil Hill. The Wright Brothers National Memorial, mentioned here, began construction in 1928 following an Act of Congress, with the cornerstone laid just prior to the ceremonial unveiling of a small granite marker resembling a boulder, mentioned in this correspondence, was unveiled. Orville Wright’s written accounts were used to approximate the site of the liftoff, which had been affected by shifting sands. The granite marker still exists north of the monument. Fascinating contact with Orville referencing “Wilbur Wright” and “Kitty Hawk” on the same page, and revealing the strong attention to detail that helped him and his brother make history.
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