Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 to Hart O. Berg

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01537 Author/Creator: Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Typed letter signed Date: November 16, 1910 Pagination: 2 p. ; 28 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Gives a detailed account of the 1910 International Air Meet. States that the Americans did much better than the French. Comments on a few men whose planes broke down and states, "Why does not the French government forbid monoplanes?-They have killed ten times more men than double propellers have." Describes many of the flight events including information about the pilots, the wind, speeds, and breakdowns. Goes on to discuss the profits of the American Wright Company for the year. Talks again about monoplanes and their problems. Compares the Wright planes' flight records with European planes. Ends by saying, "I am sorry the German and French companies did not send men over to America this year ... and learn what real flying is. It would have paid them well." Written on stationary of the Wright Company in New York. Berg was an aeronautical pioneer and the Wright brothers' agent in Europe.

Wilbur, Wright, 1867-1912
Berg, Hart O., 1865-1941

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources