{"product_id":"wright-brothers-original-business-bankbook-1908-1912-attributed-wilbur-wright-inscription","title":"Wright Brothers’ Original Business Bankbook, 1908–1912—Attributed Wilbur Wright Inscription","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn extraordinary original financial record of \u003cstrong\u003eWilbur and Orville Wright\u003c\/strong\u003e, documenting the brothers’ business account during the years in which they transformed their invention of the airplane into an international enterprise.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued by \u003cstrong\u003eThe Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio\u003c\/strong\u003e, this original account book is headed \u003cstrong\u003e“Wright Brothers”\u003c\/strong\u003e and contains deposits, checks and balances extending from \u003cstrong\u003eJanuary 27, 1908, through October 26, 1912\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe first entry records a deposit of \u003cstrong\u003e$2,487.50\u003c\/strong\u003e. According to the accompanying collection description, deposits made during the life of the account totaled more than \u003cstrong\u003e$500,000\u003c\/strong\u003e—an extraordinary sum for the period. The account’s final reconciliation, completed in October 1912, records a remaining balance of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e$51.10\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe Wright Brothers Become an International Enterprise\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe account begins during one of the most consequential years in aviation history. In 1908, Wilbur Wright traveled to France and astonished European audiences with a succession of controlled, record-breaking flights. At the same time, Orville conducted trials for the United States Army at Fort Myer, Virginia. Their successful demonstrations dispelled lingering doubts about their invention and made the Wright name internationally famous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eDuring the period represented by this account, the brothers negotiated aircraft contracts, licensed their patents, established the Wright Company and became embroiled in costly litigation to protect their revolutionary flight-control system. In 1909, the Wrights transferred their American patents to the newly organized Wright Company in exchange for cash, company stock and royalties on aircraft sales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe book therefore survives as more than a routine banking record: it is a financial chronicle of the moment when powered flight became a commercial reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eAttributed to Wilbur Wright\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe words \u003cstrong\u003e“Wright Brothers”\u003c\/strong\u003e written across the front cover have traditionally been attributed to \u003cstrong\u003eWilbur Wright\u003c\/strong\u003e. The inscription differs from the more formal account heading inside, which appears to have been entered by a bank employee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eBecause the cover inscription is a short identifying phrase rather than a conventional signature, it is conservatively offered as \u003cstrong\u003eattributed to Wilbur Wright\u003c\/strong\u003e. Formal authentication by a recognized handwriting authority would materially strengthen that attribution and enhance the book’s value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eAn Account Closed After Wilbur’s Death\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eWilbur Wright died of typhoid fever in Dayton on \u003cstrong\u003eMay 30, 1912\u003c\/strong\u003e, at only forty-five years of age. The account remained open for several months and was finally reconciled on \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 26, 1912\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the book a poignant closing date during the year in which the historic partnership of the two brothers ended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe flexible brown cover displays considerable rubbing, staining, creasing and edge wear consistent with repeated business use. The printed title is faded but legible. The interior ledger pages remain substantially intact and display clear manuscript entries in several inks. The handwriting within the financial columns was entered primarily by bank personnel and is not represented as the handwriting of Wilbur or Orville Wright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eA unique primary-source artifact documenting the Wright Brothers’ finances during the birth of the aviation industry—and potentially bearing Wilbur Wright’s own handwritten identification on its cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBank:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wright Brothers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDates:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 27, 1908–October 26, 1912\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst deposit:\u003c\/strong\u003e $2,487.50\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReported aggregate deposits:\u003c\/strong\u003e More than $500,000\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal recorded balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately $51.10\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandwriting:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Wright Brothers” on cover, traditionally attributed to Wilbur Wright\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well used, with substantial cover wear; interior entries generally legible\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Miller collection estate sale\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52922868531482,"sku":null,"price":29995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_3224.jpg?v=1790006036","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/wright-brothers-original-business-bankbook-1908-1912-attributed-wilbur-wright-inscription","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}