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[Identification of item], Richard Harvey Wright Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
The Richard Harvey Wright Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1979, 2002, and 2005.
Processed by Rubenstein Library staff.
Encoded by Carrie Mills, April 2011
Accessions 4-27-1979, 2002-086, 2005-108 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory:
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
Richard Harvey Wright (1894-1980) was a businessman and native of Durham, North Carolina. Founder of Wright Machinery Company. Wright Machinery merged with Sperry Rand Corporation on March 29, 1957. President of Allenton Company and Wright Real Estate, both family companies. Collection includes papers of his uncle, Richard H. Wright (1851-1929), partner of W. Duke and Son Tobacco Company and owner of Durham Traction Company and Durham Telephone Company.
Collection (232,267 items; dated 1870-1980) comprises extensive files of correspondence dating from 1873-1941; legal papers; printed matter; many business and financial papers; and clippings relating to Wright's business interests, particularly the Wright Machinery Company of Durham, N.C., manufacturer of packaging for tobacco products and various other kinds of commodities. There is much information on the economic history of Durham and the development of the tobacco industry. Volumes in the collection include financial records and many letterpress books for business correspondence.
Additions (4-27-79) (2002-086) comprise business correspondence; machinery licensing, leasing, and loan agreements; and legal documents (2101 items, dated 1941-1967) of the Wright Machinery Company. Also includes one framed oil portrait of Wright, signed "Freeman. 1922."
Addition (2005-108) (65 items, 1.1 lin. ft.; dated 1877-1905) comprises one letter book; one financial ledger; a judgment appeal; general contractor reports and statements; rental statements; and checks.
Two accessions (97-087 and 97-105) containing chiefly print materials from Wright Machinery Company, including company newsletters, were separated from the Wright Papers and placed in the Wright Machinery Company Records collection.
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
Additional correspondence (bound letterbooks from 1888-1905, 1928-1929) can be found in box 305.
Additional legal papers can be found in box 270.
Series includes a variety of printed matter including machinery advertisements and instructional guides, military recruitment materials, and international machinery catalogues. Additional printed materials can be found in box 272.
Series contains all financial records for Wright's companies, including Durham Traction Company, Wright Real Estate, Wright Machinery Company, and Allenton Company. Additional financial papers (financial record books) can be found in box 304. Box 269 also contains photos.
Series includes cigarettes boxes, photographs, blue prints, and calendars.
Series includes bound volumes consisting of correspondence, accounts, and journals.
Addition (1-21-87) is an unprocessed collection of company records grouped by topic. Personal records in Box 3 include correspondence between Wright and his wife, Helen, military papers for J. D. Wright, and obituary articles for Wright and family.