MenuInventory of the Richard Harvey Wright Papers, 1870-1980 and undated
Abstract
Businessman of Durham, N.C., and founder of Wright Machinery Company. Wright Machinery merged with Sperry Rand Corporation on 29 March 1957.
Collection dates from 1870-1980 and comprises correspondence, 1870-1941; legal papers; printed matter; business papers; 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 letterpress books for business correspondence. Later additions comprise business correspondence; financial ledgers and statements; machinery licensing, leasing, and loan agreements; and legal documents of the Wright Machinery Company. Also includes one framed oil portrait of Wright, signed "Freeman. 1922."
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Wright, Richard Harvey.
- Title
- Richard Harvey Wright Papers, 1870-1980 and undated
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- approximately 150 Linear Feet, Approximately 234,423 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Series Quick Links
- Correspondence Series, 1873-1941 and undated
- Legal Papers Series, 1879-1949 and undated
- Printed Material Series, 1898-1945 and undated
- Financial Papers Series, 1890-1950 and undated
- Memorabilia Series, 1944-1945 and undated
- Manuscript Volumes Series, 1887-1943 and undated
- 1987 Accession, 1928-1980 and undated
- Oversize Material
Collection Overview
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.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllCorrespondence Series, 1873-1941 and undated
Additional correspondence (bound letterbooks from 1888-1905, 1928-1929) can be found in box 305.
Legal Papers Series, 1879-1949 and undated
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.
Manuscript Volumes Series, 1887-1943 and undated
Series includes bound volumes consisting of correspondence, accounts, and journals.
1987 Accession, 1928-1980 and undated
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.
Oversize Material
Historical Note
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.
Subject Headings
Related Material
- Wright Machinery Company Records, 1943-1989 (most print materials were originally accessions 97-087 and 97-105 from Wright Papers) (Rubenstein Library, Duke University)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Richard Harvey Wright Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Richard Harvey Wright Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1979, 2002, and 2005.
Processing Information
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: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.