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WRIGHT, WILBUR. Typed letter signed to Robert J. Collier, President of the Aero Club of America, Dayton, Ohio, 3 February 1912. One page, 4to, on printed stationery of The Wright Company, small discoloration at top left-hand corner. THE WRIGHTS AGREE NOT TO ENFORCE THEIR PATENTS TO PERMIT THE RACE FOR THE GORDON BENNETT CUP "In the interest of good sport the Wright Company will permit representatives of foreign nations to participate in the 1912 race for the Gordon Bennett cup, regardless of any question as to whether their aeroplanes do or do not infringe patents owned by this company. The Wright Company will not bring suit against the representatives of foreign clubs because of their participation in this contest for the Gordon Bennett Cup...." A interesting letter written shortly before Wilbur's unexpected death from typhoid fever on 30 May l912. The world's first international air races were held in Reims in l909. They climaxed in a competition for the Gordon Bennett Cup, a trophy and cash prize of 25,000 francs contributed by a wealthy American publisher who lived in Paris. The first Gordon Bennett race had been won by Glenn Curtiss, in an aircraft of his own design, but with some similarities to the Wright Flyer. The Wrights had not competed. Not long afterwards, the Wrights instituted the first of their patent suits against Curtiss's firm, the Herring-Curtiss Company, charging that his design was a violation of their l906 patent. In January l9l0 a judge had upheld their claim, but the case was still in the appeal process. In l9ll, the Wrights brought similar suits in Paris against twelve aviators and manufacturers of aircraft. The Aero Club of America, founded in l905, was actively involved in arranging for the l912 competition for the Bennett Cup, to be held in America. The Club had signed an agreement with the Wrights in April l9l0 whereby it would lend its name and prestige to air meets only in cases where appropriate royalties were paid to the Wright Company. Clearly there was considerable concern that the Wright's might also bring suit against other competitors, or the foreign sponsers of the meet.