Description:

Orville Wright Signed Check to Wilbur's Secretary

1p, measuring 7.625" x 3", Dayton, Ohio, dated June 30, 1923. Boldly signed "Orville Wright." Check No. 1324, from The City National Bank. Paying $20 to Mabel Beck. With cancellation punches and twice stamped on recto, one of which perforates through to verso.

Orville Wright (1871-1948) was an American aviation pioneer, along with his brother Wilbur, who are both credited with inventing and flying the world's first successful motor-operated plane.

Mabel Beck was Wilbur Wright's secretary. Her association with him, however, was short. In April 1912, while he was on a business trip to Philadelphia, Wilbur became ill from eating contaminated shellfish. By May, his health deteriorated, and on May 10 Wilbur, sensing that his illness was grave, called Ezra B. Kuhns, a lawyer and high school classmate of Orville, and Mabel to come to the house on Hawthorn Street. Kuhns acted as a witness while Wilbur dictated his will to Mabel. Despite all the doctors could do, Wilbur's health continued to fail, and at 3:15 on the morning of May 30, 1912, he died.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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February 16, 2022 10:30 AM EST
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University Archives

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$100 $299 $20
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$2,000 $2,999 $200
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