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Howard Hughes' Rare Signed Photograph 1938 Around

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:9,500.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Howard Hughes' Rare Signed Photograph 1938 Around
<B>Howard Hughes' Rare Signed Photograph 1938 Around-the-World Flight Crew</B></I> There are many images conjured up when the name Howard Hughes is mentioned. There's the billionaire industrialist, the film producer and director (who introduced Jean Harlow and Jane Russell to the world), the playboy who dated some of the most beautiful women in the world, or maybe the drug-addicted recluse who lived his last years (and died) under mysterious circumstances. Oftentimes forgotten (at least, until <I>The Aviator</B></I> was released) is the daredevil early aviation hero who built and flew planes with reckless abandon. In 1932, Hughes acquired a military plane through the Department of Commerce and converted it for racing. He formed the Hughes Aircraft Company as a division of Hughes Tool Company. In 1934, he entered a converted Boeing in the All-America Air Meet in Miami and won. Soon after that, he gathered a group of engineers and technicians to work on the H-1, the most advanced plane of its time. He personally test-flew the plane himself and on September 13, 1935, Hughes set a new land-speed record of 352 miles per hour with his H-1, which he called the <I>Winged Bullet.</B></I> In 1936, he set a new transcontinental record, and the next year he shortened the record again. Hughes was now immensely popular with the American people and was receiving invitations to the White House. Next, he converted a special Lockheed L-14 airliner for an around-the-world flight. Studying weather patterns, Hughes installed an autopilot, multiple radios and extra fuel cells. He and a four-man crew left New York on July 10, 1938, and cut Lindbergh's record in half in his flight to Paris. He personally piloted the plane on the flight. Hughes landed back in New York on July 14, 1938, having circled the globe in three days, nineteen hours, and seventeen minutes. He was honored with parades all over America. Houston briefly renamed its airport (now William P. Hobby Airport) in his honor. His flight crew consisted of Navigators Tommy Thurlow and Harry Connor, Flight Engineer Edward Lund and Radio Engineer Dick Stoddard. Albert Lodwick, though not on the flight, was Flight Operations Manager, helping to plan, map and work out the logistics for the flight. This framed 8" x 10" black and white photograph shows Hughes along with these five gentlemen and all six have signed boldly over their respective images. An extremely rare item in very fine condition. The incredible historical association with this celebrated flight makes it particularly desirable. <I>Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.</B></I> Lot:254