Wright Flyer Original Kitty Hawk Flown Fabric Linen Sample Photo Orville Wilbur For Sale

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Wright Flyer Original Kitty Hawk Flown Fabric Linen Sample Photo Orville Wilbur:
$199.00

This listing is for a piece of linen fabric from the original Wright Flyer. This fabric was present at Kitty Hawk and accompanied the Wright brothers as they successfully made their first flight on December 17, 1903. The artifact measures approximately .5" across, and it's been attached to an 8x10" photo for display. This item also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity listing its provenance.Following their historic first flight, the Wright brothers disassembled the aircraft and put it in storage, in order to begin work on more advanced models. For several years, the Wright Flyer was stored in crates at their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. In 1913, the Miami River overflowed and Dayton was flooded under 10 feet of water for several weeks. When the floodwater receded, the aircraft was recovered and later restored. During this process, the linen fabric of the wings was completely replaced, as the original fabric had been heavily stained by mud and water. The original 1903 fabric was kept in storage.After the death of the Wright Brothers, their estate was handled by their niece, Ivonette Wright Miller. The restored Wright Flyer was gifted to the Smithsonian, and Ivonette sent several large pieces of the original 1903 fabric to various museums and institutions. One of these pieces was eventually obtained by Ron Cole, the owner of an aviation museum and art gallery in Ohio. This fabric came from a larger piece purchased from Cole. The stains on the fabric are remnants of the 1913 flood.The COA accompanying this item includes photos of the original artifact, along with photos of your specific piece being removed from it. Please note that I have several of these for sale, and so you may not receive the exact item in the photos. However, you will receive one of an identical size, with the same type of documentation.If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you for viewing this listing!