Getting the story Wright: August 2025

The State of Connecticut, not to be outdone, has redesigned their license plate, commemorating their aviation and aerospace industry.

Connecticut's New License Plate.

The Wright Brothers were first in manned powered flight. Ohio (specifically Dayton Ohio) makes claim as the Birthplace of Aviation. North Carolina makes claim as the First in Flight. The Wright's aeroplane was designed in Dayton, tested in North Carolina, and eventually mechanically flown there in December of 1903. It was then perfected in Dayton in 1904 and 1905. These historical facts are based on one of the most thoroughly documented inventive processes in the history of the world. Records of engineering calculations, personal diaries, letters of correspondence, fantastic exhaustive photographic records, artifacts, and eye witness accounts of many outstanding reliable citizens attest to the truth and accuracy of the timing and character of the events. Photographic evidence of the flight, "the first in the history of the world in which a machine carrying a man had raised itself by its own power into the air in full flight, had sailed forward without reduction of speed, and had finally landed at a point as high as that from which it started" shows Orville flying with Wilbur running along side. The flight was repeated, four flights total, in front of reliable witnesses, and a telegraph indicating success was sent home that afternoon. Newspapers carried the story the next day, December 18, 1903.

In spite of the above historical truth, and in spite of knowing the claims of Ohio as birthplace of aviation, and North Carolina as first in flight, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law a measure stating that Gustave Whitehead (a former Connecticut resident) flew in 1901, two years before Wilbur and Orville Wright. "The Governor shall proclaim a date certain in each year as Powered Flight Day to honor the first powered flight by Gustave Whitehead and to commemorate the Connecticut aviation and aerospace industry", House Bill No. 6671, passed into law as Public Act no. 13-210, June 25, 2013. Evidence provided by Governor Malloy to show the Wright Brothers do not deserve the title of First in Flight is presented in the following post:

Connecticut, You Have Gustave Be Kidding Me!

More amazing evidence has been unearthed by the Connecticut State Legislature, as provided in this newly surfaced sketch of the Wright Brothers. Using X-ray analysis of the underlying layers of graphite used to draw Wilbur's odd face with big ears, Wilbur's true identity was revealed.........

When interviewed by the Connecticut State Legislature, Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Picard in the Star Trek Next Generation series had little to say about the recent discovery, but would not deny that the Ferengi species may not be entirely fictional. Actually, he just looked at the interviewer oddly. When asked if he believed Wilbur Wright had ancestral roots originating back to that alien planet, therefore disqualifying him and his brother Orville to claims of First in Flight, since they obviously cheated using Ferengi wing warping technology, Patrick again, didn't answer the question.........

More research is required.

Orville, writing to Fred L. Black of The Edison Institute, Dearborn, Michigan, in a letter dated October 19, 1937-

"Dear Mr. Black:

I have not seen the book "Lost Flights of Gustave Whitehead", but I did see the story on the same subject printed in "Popular Aviation" of January, 1935, and signed by Stella Randolf and Harvey Phillips.

I have learned through a friend in Washington that Miss Randolph works in a doctor's office in Washington; that she has no particular interest in aviation; that the Harvey Phillips whom she had not know before, induced her to collaborate with him in the preparation of the story.

I suspect that, could it be traced, the idea for the book would be found to have originated in the mind of A. F. Zahm, of whom you already know. He has been quite active in this matter, as I have learned from several sources.

The book is interesting in showing how easy it is, after an interval of 35 years, to get affidavits on matters which are utterly false. Neither Wilbur nor I ever were in Bridgeport until 1909, and then only in passing through on the train.

I believe I told you of the statements of eye-witnesses secured by A. V. Roe to establish his claim to having been the first Englishman to fly. Unfortunately for Roe I had in my possession letters written by himself at the time that proved the statements of his witnesses false. Moore-Brabazom told me that he would have been helpless in refuting these statements, produced twenty-five years after the event, excepting for the evidence which I was able to furnish.

In the case of Whitehead the design of the machine is in itself enough to refute the statements that the machine flew.

Have you seen the article in the N.A.A. Magazine of December, 1936, by Professor John B. Crane, who made some investigation of the Randolph story and interviewed some of the alleged eye-witnesses?

I am hoping to get my work here cleared up enough before long so that I can make the postponed visit to Greenfield Village.

Thanking you for the photostats of the affidavits in Stella Randolph's book, I am

Sincerely yours,

Orville Wright

Updates August 14, 2025

As acting executor of Orville Wright's estate, Harold S. Miller stamped each loose magazine, pamphlet, and bulletin within Orville's library and personally signed each as a certification of the item as being personally owned by Orville. The extensive collection of loose and bound magazines were eventually donated by Harold and Ivonette Miller to the Wright State University Special Collections and Archives. In the years prior to that donation, the Miller's gave away various magazines from the collection to family members and friends. Occasionally, some of these items are offered for sale to collectors by auction or on E-bay. This post provides sales data on estate items that have sold in recent years, and lists various magazine issues, pamphlets, and bulletins within the Wright State University Wright Brother Archives, and the Author's personal collection. Additionally, aspects of interest are discussed concerning these collectables.

Stamp utilized by Harold S. Miller to identify magazines, pamphlets, and bulletins within Orville Wright's personal library. (1)

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Magazine Issues Sold to Collectors

November 17 of 1999, Christie's sold a group of 37 volumes "stamped from the private library of Orville Wright with the signature of the executor." No photographs are available, and the list is confusing, as it is not clear if all the issues are from Orville's library, or just some of them. The number of volumes doesn't add to 37. The first magazine listed appears to indicate 80, which makes no sense. "Aviation magazines from the early 20th century. Includes Mustrierte Aeronautische Mitteilungen. Berlin, 1908. 80, original wrappers--Zeitschrift fr Flugtechnik und Motorluftschiffahrt. Mnchen, 1910-1912. 24 vols.--sterreichischer Flugtechnischer Verein. Wien, 1910. Issues 22,23,24. 3 vols.--Aero, America's Aviation Weekly. St. Louis, 1911-1912. 5 vols.--L'Aerophile. Paris, 1909--sterreichische Flug-Zeitschrift. Wien, 1911--Flug-Motor-Technik. Wien, 1910--The Aeronautical Journal. London, 1921. 3 vols. Provenance: stamped from the private library of Orville Wright with the signature of the executor. Together 37 volumes of various sizes in original wrappers.(39)" The group sold for $1725. If 37 issues, each would have averaged $46.89.

The number of sales listed below is small, and include only those this Author was able to obtain sales records. Worthpoint.com lists an additional 5 magazines that have sold, but a subscription to the site is required to view the information. Others likely exist, and will be added eventually if the information becomes available.

The Aeronautical Journal 1921, December No. 132, Vol XXV

Sold $30, July 16, 2021, Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Sold $95, February 26, 2022, Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Photo of H. S. Miller stamp not provided; this copy not confirmed.

Aeronautics 1910, September, Vol. VII, No. 3

Sold $220, January 30, 2022, Yardley Antiques

Aero 1910, October 8, Vol. 1, No. 1

Sold $440, January 29, 2023, Yardley Antiques

Aircraft 1910, March

Sold $220, October 6, 2024, Yardley Antiques

L'Aerophile (Aerophile, meaning lover of aviation) 1909, Avril 1

Sold $120, June 16, 2024, Yardley Antiques

L'Aerophile (Aerophile, meaning lover of aviation) 1910, November 15

Not sold, October 15, 2014, RR Auction

Osterreichische Flug = Zeitschrift (Austrian Journal of Flight) 1911, Juni 10

Sold $95, February 12, 2018, Yardley Antiques

Osterreidhische Flug = Zeitschrift 1912, January 10

Not sold, minimum bid asked $150, April 18, 2025, Potter & Potter Auctions

Flug-Motor-Technik (Flight Engine Technology) 1909, November 10

Sold $150, April 14, 2019, Yardley Antiques

Flug-Motor-Technik (Flight Engine Technology) 1910, November 10

Did not sell, October 6, 2024, Yardley Antiques

Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Luftschiffahrt (German Journal of Aviation) 1908, November 18

Sold $120, May 19, 2019, Yardley Antiques

Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Luftschiffahrt (German Journal of Aviation) 1908, July 15

Not sold, October 15, 1914, RR Auction

Orville often had an additional copy(s) of a specific magazine, and multiple copies of a pamphlet or bulletin. The list below includes The Aeronautical Journal 1921 December issue, which is not the same copy as was sold twice as listed above. Orville had many copies of the March 12, 1906 Aero Club of America statement of the Wright Brother accomplishments in flight up to that time. He also had multiple copies of the 1916 "Beginning of Human Flight" pamphlet written by Orville for the MIT display of the 1903 Kitty Hawk Flyer.

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Author's Inventory (2)

The Aeronautical Journal 1921, December No. 132, Vol XXV

Very interesting magazine with Mr. Griffith Brewer's lecture concerning the Langley Machine and the Hammondsport Trials, with rebuttals by Dr. Charles D. Walcott, Dr. A. F. Zahm, and Mr. C. M. Manly. The rebuttals were full of sarcasm and historical revisionism.

Orville’s handwriting on page 655, “Wind 12 miles, (Manly affidavit, pg 27)” Orville wrote this to indicate error in Mr. C. M. Manly's article claim that “there was no appreciable wind blowing when the [Langley] machine was launched on October 7^th, 1903." Other underlines and exclamation marks, some in red, some blue, some in pencil. Issue is on Proceedings Second Meeting, 55^th Session, lecture presented by Griffith Brewer on Langley Hammondsport Trials.

Orville Wright's notation within Author's copy of The Aeronautical Journal, December 1921. (1)

Orville marks two exclamation marks after the Cosmos Club's statement. This within the Epilogue to Dr. A. F. Zahm's "Review of Experiments With The Rehabilitated Langley Aeroplane in 1914." Reading through the articles in this magazine, who could blame Orville Wright for sending the Kitty Hawk Flyer to England in 1928? (1)

Aeronautics 1911, March

Issue contains sketches and writing. Writing and sketch on cover in Wilbur's hand as evaluated by this Author.

Sketch, handwriting, calculations by Wilbur Wright

Aeronautics March 1911 cover with "Patent", numbers, and sketch by Wilbur Wright. Handwriting on cover is shown compared to his handwriting from his Kitty Hawk diary. (1)

Fly 1909, January, May, August

The January issue has fingerprints on lower left front cover.

The May issue has fingerprints on front and back cover, with a good set on lower front left cover.

From Orville Wright's estate, Fly magazine, May, 1909. Front cover finger or palm prints. This issue likely would have been handled by both Wilbur and Orville. It is not known if these marks are by either brother. (1)

The August issue has a fingerprint at upper right hand corner of front cover.

Fly 1911, June

Slight partial fingerprint, front cover.

Flying 1913, November

Flying 1914, December

Number calculation written at top of inside of back cover.

Flying December 1914 issue from Orville's estate, calculations on back cover. (1)

Flying 1917, October

WSU Archives also contains this issue.

The various finger and/or palm prints on these issues are interesting, but have not been studied by this Author. Likely, there are no known finger prints of the Wright's for a comparison, but perhaps they exist on some document.

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Wright State University Special Collections and Archives Inventory

1. The WSU archives have bound and loose issues from OW’s estate. WSU notes that issues include lineations and page markers, confirming the Wrights did mark in their issues. WSU collection is extensive. Only the following are listed here for comparison to those listed as part of the Author's collection. The complete list can be found within Wright Brothers Collection Part I: The Technical Library- Series 4 Technical Journals, Series 5 The Pamphlet Collection, and Other Institutional Publications and Journal Reprints.

a. Aeronautical Journal bound Jan 1897-Dec 1924. 13 bound books.

b. Aeronautics July 1907-Dec 1911, two volumes.

c. Aeronautics loose issues July-Oct 1907, Jan, June, Sept 1908, Sept, Oct 1909, Jan-April 1912, Nov 1912, Jan, March 1913, 10 issues 1914, March, June, July 1915.

d. Fly, III, July-Oct 1912 (multiple copies), Dec 1911-April 1912, July, Oct 1912, Nov 1912, June 1913, loose issues only.

e. Flying Jan 1912, Dec 1915, two bound volumes. Loose issues Feb-March, Sept 1912, Dec 1913, March, Aug-Oct, Dec 1916, March, May, Oct-Dec 1917.

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Pamphlet- The Beginning of Human Flight, 1916

Orville had multiple copies of The Beginning of Human Flight. When this item has been offered at auction, the Bonhams description has read, "Orville Wright's own copy"; or "Beginning of Human Flight- Orville's copy". This description could be interpreted as Orville Wright's only copy, which would be incorrect. The list below indicates three copies sold, and this Author owns two additional stamped copies. Another stamped copy is pictured on ECU Digital Collections. Total number of stamped copies has not been determined.

Wright State University Special Collections and Archives Wright Brothers Collection MS-1, Part 1, Series 5 Pamphlets, Subseries 5D Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1904-1945, has two copies of The Beginning of Human Flight.

The Beginning of Human Flight, stamped Orville Wright's estate, sold to collectors-

2022 May 29, Yardley Antiques, $675
2020 Nov 5, Bonhams, $1147 including BP
2013 Mar 25, Bonhams, $2500 including BP

The Beginning of Human Flight, The Wright Company, 1916. The issue to the left is not stamped. The two issues to the right, stamped on back, "From the private library of Orville Wright", and signed by H. S. Miller, executor. From Author's collection, not included in the above purchase list.

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Bulletin- Aero Club of America March 12, 1906

The statement provided by the Wright Brothers for publication by the Aero Club of America in 1906 concerning their experiments at Kitty Hawk and at Dayton from 1900 through 1905 was published in this bulletin. Orville had a supply of these and would provide a copy occasionally in his correspondence. One such copy was sent by Orville to John W. Wood with a letter dated September 25, 1939. This copy is not stamped of course, but has provenance as being sent by Orville to Wood. Orville wrote, "Beginning near the bottom of page 1 is a record of several flights made in 1904 and 1905, taken from McMahon's book, "The Wright Brothers". Almost none of the data for these flights is correctly given. I therefore shall not attempt to correct them, but am sending you a bulletin of the Aero Club of America, March, 106, which gives correct account of the more important flights of 1904 and 1905...."

Aero Club of America March 12, 1906 pamphlet sent to John W. Wood by Orville Wright in 1939. (1)

Aero Club of America March 12, 1906 stamped copy, offered by Stuart Lutz through the Abe's Books website for $5000. A bit overpriced as it is not unique.

Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library Wright Brothers Collection

Aero Club of America March 12, 1906 issue within Wright Brother scrapbook, courtesy of Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library Wright Brothers Collection.

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Offprint of The Journal of the Franklin Institute- Stability of Aeroplanes, 1914

Offprint from The Journal of the Franklin Institute, 1914. Sold November 5, 2020, Bonhams, $1020 including BP.

Getting the story Wright

Pages

Friday, August 22, 2025

The Proud State of Connecticut, First in Historical Revisionism!

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Collecting Orville Wright Estate Magazines, Pamphlets, and Bulletins