This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
WRIGHT BROTHERS FLY BEFORE LANGLEY
[AVIATION]. BREWER, Griffith (1867-1948). Typed letter signed (“Griffith Brewer”), to Earl N. Findley, Editor of U.S. Air Services, London, 12 April 1928. One-page, 8vo (248 x 197 mm), on Brewer and Son letterhead, old folds. WHO FLEW FIRST? Griffith Brewer was an English balloonist, aviator, patent agent, and a main supporter of the Wright Brothers. There was much debate on who “could” have flown first, including Samuel Langley as a Smithsonian publication: “The trustees had decided that Langley’s machine could have flown first but didn’t”. Brewer jokingly writes of his encounter with actor Will Rogers who reflected on this publication that “he could have flown to France ahead of Lindbergh, but he didn’t!”