1908 Wright Aeroplane Top Plan Diagram – George Grantham Bain Photo PSA Type III
$ 158.4
Description
1908 Wright Aeroplane Top Plan Diagram – George Grantham Bain Photo PSA Type III. This image reproduces a detailed technical drawing of the Wright Brothers’ flying machine, titled“THE TOP PLAN OF THE WRIGHT AEROPLANE,” with the caption creditingW. B. Robinson and noting that the drawing was made from theWright Brothers’ patent specifications. Up for auction is an original and very rare 1909 press photograph depicting the the Wright Flyer schematics issued by the George Grantham Bain News Service. This image reproduces a detailed technical drawing of the Wright Brothers’ flying machine, titled “THE TOP PLAN OF THE WRIGHT AEROPLANE,” with the caption crediting W. B. Robinson and noting that the drawing was made from the Wright Brothers’ patent specifications. Such diagrams were widely used by newspapers and technical publications to explain the revolutionary Wright design to the public during the years immediately following the first successful powered flights. The photograph bears original Bain News Service press markings, including the restriction notice “This picture not to be re-sold for your use only,” and date stamps FEB 4 1908, consistent with early press distribution during the Wright Brothers’ breakthrough period. This photograph has been authenticated by PSA as a Type III vintage photograph, meaning it is a period example produced from a duplicate negative of an original artwork image — a standard practice for early 20th-century news service imagery. 📷 Photograph Details Subject/Aircraft: Wright Aeroplane – Top Plan (technical diagram) Date: 1908 Photographer / Agency: George Grantham Bain News Service Format: Original press photograph (Type III) Medium: Original gelatin silver press photograph Size: approx. 5 × 7 inches Front: Clear, legible technical diagram showing wing structure, struts, control elements, and labeling Reverse: Bain News Service stamp with usage restriction and a "Feb 4 1908" Bain News Service date stamp, indicating period press processing after the picture was taken. 📜 Historical Significance Technical diagrams of the Wright airplane in the press were instrumental in educating the public and aviation community about controlled powered flight. This image represents the intersection of invention, journalism, and public understanding at the dawn of aviation. A major Wright Brothers milestone occurred six days after the date on the photo : the U.S. Signal Corps contract with the Wrights is dated February 10, 1908 (LOC calls it the first formal Army airplane contract signed by the Wrights and the Signal Corps). So the FEB 4 1908 date on the reverse fits perfectly as a “pre-story” illustration date: newspapers were actively covering the Army negotiations/contract and the Wright machine’s specifications, and a Patent Office–based “plan” drawing is exactly what an editor would run alongside that coverage. Bain press photographs of these diagrams are often scarcer than standard aircraft photos and are highly desirable for collectors focused on aviation mechanics, diagrams, patent-related imagery, Wright Brothers history and collectors of early original photography. 📌 Condition Authentic vintage condition consistent with age and press use, fair to good condition overall Light surface wear and minor handling creases typical of early press photographs Original press stamp visible on back and date stamp (Please review all photos carefully for exact condition, and ask me for additional photos.) Smoke-free home, buyer to pay shipping (USPS Insured Priority Mail within the US and overseas bidders as well). Check out my other Bain photograph auctions and my eBay store. If you are interested in purchasing several Bain photographs, I will combine them for shipping, and a signature confirmation upon delivery will be required due to the rarity of these photographs. Thanks for browsing!
