Orville Wright’s Personal Bankbook, 1912–1918—More Than $1.25 Million in Deposits

An extraordinary original financial record belonging to Orville Wright, co-inventor of the world’s first successful powered airplane. Issued by The Winters National Bank of Dayton, Ohio, this personal deposit and check book begins on October 26, 1912, and continues through April 4, 1918. Its sixteen pages record more than five years of Orville Wright’s financial activity during a transformational period in his life and in the history of aviation. From “Wright Brothers” to Orville Wright The opening date is especially significant. A surviving Wright Brothers joint account book at the same Dayton bank concludes on October 26, 1912. This individual Orville Wright account begins on that exact date. Wilbur Wright had died of typhoid fever on May 30, 1912. The closing of the brothers’ joint account and opening of Orville’s individual account several months later provide a poignant documentary record of the legal and financial transition following Wilbur’s death. More Than $1.25 Million in Deposits According to the accompanying collection summary, deposits recorded in the book total an extraordinary $1,253,936.54. The largest individual deposit—$257,910.94—was entered on October 25, 1916. These substantial transactions date from the period in which Orville withdrew from active aircraft manufacturing, disposed of his interests in the Wright Company and continued to benefit from investments, contracts and aviation-related patent rights. The book potentially offers valuable primary-source evidence concerning the financial results of the Wright Brothers’ invention and Orville’s transition from industrialist to independent researcher. The account’s last entry is dated April 4, 1918, and records a remaining balance of approximately $382.53. Orville Wright’s Name Incised into the Cover The words “Orville Wright” are faintly carved or scratched into the leather cover beneath the printed words “In account with.” The accompanying collection description attributes this inscription to Orville Wright himself. The cover inscription is conservatively described as attributed to Orville Wright pending examination by a recognized handwriting authority. The more formal account name inside, together with the dates, deposits and balances, appears to have been entered by Winters National Bank personnel. Condition The original flexible leather cover exhibits extensive rubbing, fading, staining and edge wear consistent with prolonged practical use. The incised name is faint but visible under suitable lighting. The interior pages show expected toning and handling, but the manuscript entries remain substantially intact and legible. The worn condition gives the book the unmistakable character of a frequently used personal financial record. An exceptional primary-source artifact documenting Orville Wright’s financial life immediately after Wilbur’s death, the conclusion of the Wright Brothers’ partnership and Orville’s emergence as the sole surviving inventor of the airplane. Account holder: Orville Wright Bank: The Winters National Bank, Dayton, Ohio Dates: October 26, 1912–April 4, 1918 Contents: Approximately 16 completed ledger pages Reported total deposits: $1,253,936.54 Largest reported deposit: $257,910.94, October 25, 1916 Final balance: Approximately $382.53 Cover inscription: “Orville Wright,” traditionally attributed to Orville Wright Condition: Heavily used, with substantial exterior wear; interior entries generally legible Provenance: Miller sale.