Rare Autograph, Photograph and Manuscript Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2017
Orville Wright signed Airmail cover with red & blue short stripes at edges , rubber stamp cachet noting" First All North Carolina Air Mail Flights Oct. 11-16,1937 and featuring an image of the Wright memorial at Kitty Hawk, N.C. with "Kitty Hawk N.C./"Birthplace of Aviation"
at bottom. Envelope is signed by Orville Wright at bottom and vertically on left side by Pilot Al Williams. Williams won the pultzer trophy for the Navy by establishing a speed record in 1923 at 266.51mph.
The Cover also comes with 4 TLS's and various printed programs from Milton Wright father of aviation pioneers Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright, and a Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Wright became the new church's first bishop in 1897. At the turn of the century, Wright was adamant about prosecuting the publishing house agent, Millard Keiter, who was accused of embezzling. Many members of the publishing board supported Keiter. Because of the controversy, Wright's home district, the White River Conference, voted to rescind his license as minister. The General Conference overruled the home conference in 1905, reinstating Wright. Keiter moved to Kentucky, where he was indicted for land fraud.
The group of letters where written to a life long friend and supporter of Milton’s, Rev. J. Howe. The first letter written in 1902 talks about the famous controversy with Keiter and goes into detail about how Keiter, was making complaints about Wright which he had anticipated and details how he was trying to control the conferences. Quite a fascinating letter in which Milton explains his argument and also talks about some of the pamphlets he created related to the controversy. The other letters written in 1906 talk about the church business and various situations about missionary workers and issues with other problems related to church affairs.
The programs include the annual Report of the Board of Missions of the church of the United Brethen and also they relate to the controversy the Write had when they wanted to expel him based on the Keiter affair. A fascinating lot related to Milton and his son.
Orville Wright Signed Cover & Milton Wright Archive
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