?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 15,000 - $ 20,000
DESIGNER UNKNOWN THE NATION, STATE AND CITY WELCOME THE WORLDS GREATEST AVIATORS. 1909. 31 1/2x22 inches, 80x56 cm. The Walker Litho. Co., Dayton, Ohio. Condition B+ / B: repaired tears and restored losses at edges; overpainting in margins; creases, abrasions and restoration in image. After their initial flight in 1903, the Wright Brothers were met by skepticism at home and virtually ignored by the American press. But Europe was a different story. After demonstration flights in France in 1908, they were lauded as heroes across the continent. They courted military contracts on both sides of the Atlantic, with Wilbur travelling to Europe and Orville staying back in America to do demonstrations for the U.S. Government. They criss-crossed the ocean as they attempted to lure patrons to their project. Upon their successful return from Europe they were first greeted by President Taft in the White House and then returned to their hometown of Dayton for this massive two day celebration that included parades, concerts, fireworks and receptions, but (perhaps ironically) no flying demonstrations. Villard / Allen pl. 11, l'Histoire de l'Aviation p. 42, Perier p. 9, FAI 107.
