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AUCTION
Profiles in History
/
The Howard Hughes Auction ...Followed by Exceptional Historical Autographs & The Collection of Willi
The Howard Hughes Auction ...Followed by Exceptional Historical Autographs & The Collection of Willi
Auction Currency
USD
Auction Location
26662 Agoura Rd
,
Calabasas
,
California
,
91302
,
United States
In Person Preview
Auction preview (by appointment only)
Auction Details
The Howard Hughes Auction: Lots 1 - 104
Followed by Exceptional Historical Autographs & The Collection of William J. Bell, Legendary TV Writer, Producer: Lots 105 - 176
Featured: Lot 138. John F. Kennedy, iconic personal Presidential leather G-1 bomber jacket worn aboard the Presidential yacht Honey Fitz. (1962) Click the link view the JFK bomber jacket Video
Howard Hughes remains as arguably the most complex and enigmatic personality of the 20th century. The life of the brilliant, yet eccentric billionaire is the stuff of legend: business magnate, engineering genius, record-setting aviator, Hollywood moviemaker, philanthropist, playboy who courted countless stars, all while living a bizarre and secretive lifestyle suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Those few people who were loyal to Mr. Hughes and worked closely with him, including his reclusive years, did not speak publicly about him. The collection contained in the following 104 lots were acquired from Hughes insider Vernon C. Olson. Upon his return from the Korean War in 1952, Olson used his accounting degree and took a position as a staff accountant with the Hughes Tool Company in Culver City, California. Shortly after his employ, Vernon was asked by Mr. Hughes’ personal secretary, Nadine Henley, to become Mr. Hughes personal accountant, while retaining his staff accountant position. Mr. Hughes was looking for an honest, trustworthy, loyal and discrete person. It was at that point Olson began living a double (professional) life. Other than Miss Henley, no one knew of his alternate position, not even his supervisors early in his career. As he led his "secret life," he slowly worked his way up in the Hughes corporate world. Through the years Olson became corporate controller, chief accounting officer, senior vice president, and a member of the board of directors, all while managing Mr. Hughes' corporate and personal finances. It is in these capacities, he became intimately acquainted with Mr. Hughes' activities and ventures. Olson became so well trusted, that upon the passing of Mr. Hughes in 1976, he was one of only two high-ranking Summa Corporation (name of Hughes’ business interests after he sold the tool division of Hughes Tool Co. in 1972) executives to continue with the company under the chairmanship of William R. Lummis, first cousin of Mr. Hughes. He continued with the company in his financial capacity while sitting on the board of directors. When Summa Corporation was sold in 1996, Mr. Lummis granted Vernon Olson legal possession of Mr. Hughes' personal belongings. Olson spent decades protecting Hughes’ privacy and continued to do so even after his death by disposing of his belongings in a very discreet manner by anonymously donating them to various Las Vegas charitable organizations. Other items he purchased from the estate. Knowing his daughter Mindy’s keen interest in history, Vernon gave her key items of historical and personal significance, spanning Hughes’ fabled career. These are the items being offered in this once-in-a-lifetime sale. Out of respect to both Mr. Hughes and her father, Mindy kept these items until now, and her wish is for others to have the opportunity to have a genuine part of the history and legacy that was Mr. Howard R. Hughes.
Among the highlights of this historic sale:
Over 55 never-before-seen Katharine Hepburn love letters and bedside notes written to Howard Hughes.
Emerald & Diamond engagement ring Hughes gifted to Katharine Hepburn.
Hughes’ personal 1939 Congressional gold medal recognizing his achievements in advancing the science of aviation.
Hughes’ signature two-tone jacket worn during his famous flight of the H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose).
Hughes’ personal leather aviator helmet.
Hughes’ personal work desk that formerly belonged to Howard, Senior from Hughes Tool Co.
Hughes’ original contract signed by Jean Harlow for her starring role in Hell’s Angels – starting her fabled film career as the “Platinum Blonde”.
Numerous Howard Hughes signed Hollywood contracts with director Howard Hawks, multiple stars and film studios.
Hughes’ original Zoë Mozert poster artwork of Jane Russell for The Outlaw used extensively in publicity for the film causing a media censorship battle.
Hughes’ signed 1947 California Driver’s License with numerous law enforcement “courtesy cards”.
Hughes’ personal etched brass “Privileged Guest” card from the Flamingo Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas.
Numerous photographs from Hughes’ collection chronicling his extensive aviation, Hollywood and business exploits.
These few examples represent a mere fraction of the fascinating items within this sale. Thank you for participating and good luck!
First time bidders that are "Pending Approval" are subject to a credit card authorization.
Please submit form early to be approved.
Use the following link to download the PDF form.
https://profilesinhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Authorization-Form-.pdf
Please download form, print, fill out, sign and return to mm@profilesinhistory.com
2020 Jul 23
11:00
UTC-7 : PDT/MST
COMPLETED
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21 -
Howard Hughes personal signed photograph of champion boxer Jack Dempsey.
Profiles in History
21. Howard Hughes personal signed photograph of champion boxer Jack Dempsey. (ca. 1920s/printed later) Gelatin silver photograph, approx. 8 x 1
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for
(3,000.00 + 840.00BP) =
3,840.00
Details...
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22 -
Howard Hughes personal California Highway Patrol etched brass courtesy card - Chief E. Raymond Cato.
Profiles in History
22. Howard Hughes personal California Highway Patrol etched brass courtesy card from Chief E. Raymond Cato. (1935) 3.25 x 2 in. Etched brass ca
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold for
(4,250.00 + 1,190.00BP) =
5,440.00
Details...
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23 -
Howard Hughes personal gold Los Angeles Fire Dept Assistant Chief Badge presented by Chief RJ Scott.
Profiles in History
23. Howard Hughes personal gold Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Badge presented by Chief R.J. Scott. (ca. 1930s) Authentic gold fir
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for
(4,500.00 + 1,260.00BP) =
5,760.00
Details...
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24 -
Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from L.A.P.D. Motor Cycle Div. officer Lee J. Young.
Profiles in History
24. Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from L.A.P.D. Motor Cycle Div. officer Lee J. Young. (ca. 1930s) Business card measuring 3.5 x
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(700.00) =
700.00
Details...
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25 -
Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from Los Angeles Motor Pool officer Preston T. Elmer.
Profiles in History
25. Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from Los Angeles Motor Pool officer Preston T. Elmer. (ca. 1930s) Business card measuring 3.5 x
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(550.00) =
550.00
Details...
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26 -
Howard Hughes personal Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff badge presented by William I. Traeger.
Profiles in History
26. Howard Hughes personal Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff badge presented by William I. Traeger. (ca. late 1920s-early 1930s) Authentic meta
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
Sold for
(9,500.00 + 2,660.00BP) =
12,160.00
Details...
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27 -
Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from LAPD Traffic Enforcement officer Carl L. Ericson.
Profiles in History
27. Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from LAPD Traffic Enforcement officer Carl R. Ericson. (ca. 1930s) Business card measuring 3.5
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(300.00) =
300.00
Details...
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28 -
Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from LAPD Traffic Division officer K. Kane.
Profiles in History
28. Howard Hughes personal police courtesy card from LAPD Traffic Division officer K. Kane. (ca. 1930s) Business card measuring 3.25 x 2 in., b
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(200.00) =
200.00
Details...
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29 -
Howard Hughes personal (3) business cards from police contacts.
Profiles in History
29. Howard Hughes personal (3) business cards from police contacts. (ca. 1930s) Each card measures approx. 3.5 x 2 in. One being from "G.R. Hec
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(125.00) =
125.00
Details...
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30 -
Howard Hughes (55+) personal handwritten love letters, notes and postcards from Katharine Hepburn.
Profiles in History
30. From the personal collection of Howard Hughes. (ca. 1937-1938) Howard Hughes (55+) personal handwritten love letters, notes and postcards from Kat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 12,000.00 - 15,000.00
Sold for
(35,000.00) =
35,000.00
Details...
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31 -
Howard Hughes personal Miami Beach Police Department courtesy card from mayor John H. Levi.
Profiles in History
31. Howard Hughes personal Miami Beach Police Department courtesy card from mayor John H. Levi. (ca. 1937-1941) Bi-fold card (measuring 3.75 x
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(400.00) =
400.00
Details...
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32 -
Howard Hughes (3) custom monogrammed handkerchiefs from The London Shop in original box.
Profiles in History
32. Howard Hughes (3) custom monogrammed handkerchiefs from The London Shop in original box. (ca. 1940s) (3) Custom monogrammed white linen han
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for
(1,200.00 + 336.00BP) =
1,536.00
Details...
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33 -
Howard Hughes personal (2) framed photographs of Katharine Hepburn from the time of their romance.
Profiles in History
33. Howard Hughes personal (2) framed photographs of Katharine Hepburn from the time of their romance. One framed 3.25 x 5 in. (visible in fram
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold for
(700.00 + 196.00BP) =
896.00
Details...
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34 -
Howard Hughes letter from actress Susan Fox complaining about MGM publicist Robert Ritchie.
Profiles in History
34. Howard Hughes letter from actress Susan Fox complaining about MGM publicist Robert Ritchie stifling her career since she had not "gone to ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold for
(950.00) =
950.00
Details...
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35 -
Howard Hughes (4) personal handwritten love letters from 17-year-old Gloria Vanderbilt.
Profiles in History
35. Howard Hughes (4) personal handwritten love letters from 17-year-old Gloria Vanderbilt. The letters, 24 pages total, were written from Octo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold for
(2,500.00) =
2,500.00
Details...
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36 -
Howard Hughes Emerald & Diamond Engagement Ring set in Platinum gifted to Katharine Hepburn.
Profiles in History
36. Howard Hughes Emerald & Diamond Engagement Ring set in Platinum gifted to Katharine Hepburn. (ca. 1937-1938) (1) Rectangular step cut Natura...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 20,000.00 - 30,000.00
Sold for
(85,000.00 + 23,800.00BP) =
108,800.00
Details...
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37 -
Howard Hughes Gold Ladies Bracelet with (25) Sapphires and Cultured Pearls.
Profiles in History
37. Howard Hughes Gold Ladies Bracelet with (25) Sapphires and Cultured Pearls. Yellow gold (stamped 14K) bracelet inset with (25) small round sapphir
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold for
(4,000.00) =
4,000.00
Details...
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38 -
Howard Hughes (3) Ladies Guard Rings – Emerald, Ruby & Diamond – set in Platinum.
Profiles in History
38. Howard Hughes (3) Ladies Guard Rings - Emerald, Ruby & Diamond - set in Platinum. Each platinum ring is inset with numerous rectangular ston...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
Sold for
(9,000.00 + 2,520.00BP) =
11,520.00
Details...
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39 -
Zoë Mozert original poster artwork of Jane Russell for The Outlaw.
Profiles in History
39. Zoe Mozert original poster artwork of Jane Russell for The Outlaw used extensively in publicity for the film from the personal collection of Howar
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 20,000.00 - 30,000.00
Sold for
(130,000.00 + 36,400.00BP) =
166,400.00
Details...
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40 -
Howard Hughes signed Hughes Productions contract for Howard Hawks to direct The Outlaw.
Profiles in History
40. Howard Hughes signed Hughes Productions contract for Howard Hawks to direct The Outlaw , countersigned by Hawks. (Hughes Productions,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold for
(2,250.00 + 630.00BP) =
2,880.00
Details...
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If you won any lots an email will be sent to you with invoice & payment information.
176 Lots in this Session
Auctioneer Phone: 310-859-7701
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Profiles in History
Calabasas, California, United States
310-859-7701
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