Description:

Wright Orville 1871 - 1948

Orville Wright thanks Rev. Lookabill of Dayton for his recent letter and "kindly sentiment", undoubtedly supporting Wright's recent decision to send the Wright Flyer to London's Science Museum instead of the Smithsonian.

Typed letter signed "Orville Wright," one page, 7" x 10". Dayton, Ohio, February 23, 1928. On his personal stationery. To Rev. H. Randel Lookabill, Dayton, Ohio. Light rectangular toning from newspaper article placed on top of letter and from mounting remnants at blank left edge. Fine condition.

In full: "I thank you for your letter of recent date, and for the kindly sentiment expressed in it."

In 1910, the Smithsonian had asked the Wright Brothers to send a machine for exhibit. They offered the 1903 Wright Flyer which had made the first successful flight. In reply, the museum hinted that they would rather have a machine of a vintage of about 1908. Orville Wright believed they wanted a later model because they already had Samuel P. Langley's 1903 machine which they described as "the first heavier-than-air machine." Langley served as Secretary, then chief executive officer, of the Smithsonian from 1887 until his death in 1906.

On February 3, 1928, three weeks before he wrote this letter, Orville Wright had announced that "the plane is en route to England," having been shipped on February 1st packed in crates and cases aboard a freight car to New York where it would be shipped to London's Science Museum. Wright explained, "In England the plane will have its proper place and credit. I am assured. This it would never have had in the atmosphere prevailing at the Smithsonian Institution. I just want the people of America to know that it was my brother's wish - and mine as well - that the plane go to the Smithsonian Institution, but under the circumstances we found that impossible, and so I have sent it to England."

In 1942, the Smithsonian agreed to display the Wright Flyer as "The world's first power-driven heavier-than-air machine in which man made free, controlled, and sustained flight." Orville then privately requested the Science Museum to return the Flyer, but it remained in protective storage for the duration of World War II and finally came home after Orville's death. Orville died on January 30, 1948. On November 23, 1948, the executors of Orville's estate signed an agreement for the Smithsonian to purchase the Flyer for one dollar. At the insistence of the executors, the agreement also included strict conditions for display of the airplane. The Wright Flyer went on display on December 17, 1948, the 45th anniversary of its flight.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000