Description
First edition of The Wright Brothers by Fred C. Kelly, a gift from Mabel Beck, the long-time secretary for the Wright Brothers.
Octavo, [10], 340pp. Blue cloth, title in white print on spine. Stated “First Edition” on copyright page. Light offsetting to endpapers, dust remnant to top edge of text block. Illustrated with 16 black and white photographic inserts. In the publisher’s first state, $3.50 on front flap, wear at edges, closed tear along front panel, a very good example.
Ownership inscription on the front free endpaper, noting that this copy was a graduation gift from Miss Mabel Beck.
Mabel Beck (1890-1959) was the longtime personal secretary to Orville Wright, serving in his office from shortly after Wilbur’s death in 1912 until Orville’s own death in 1948 and handling his correspondence, business affairs, and administrative duties for over three decades. She was closely involved in managing Orville’s professional paperwork and was regarded as a trusted aide and gatekeeper in his later life. Beck also played a role after Orville’s death in dealings such as correspondence about the Wright brothers’ legacy, and her personal collection of Wright photographs and papers is noted in archival holdings.
