ALS to his Second Wife Jean Peters [With A Map of His Circumnavigation]

N.P., 1965. Love Notes Written Between Howard Hughes and his Wife Jean Peters

[HUGHES, Howard]. ALS to his Wife Jean Peters. [N.P. C. A. 1965].

One sheet yellow lined legal paper (14 x 8 1/2 inches; 355 x 215 mm). At the top of the sheet, a note to Jean, signed "Howard." Just below that note, Jean replied on the same paper and signed it "J". There are a few other notes in Jean's hand related to family issues on both sides of the sheet. On the reverse side along the margin is one line in Hughes' hand which reads "Boats this big are Hell to sell". Sheet with one fold crease. Overall very good.

"Dearest, If you would like (truncated) to come at the end of Cinema IX, I will go now and get it behind me. If you are sleepy, I will go after you go to bed.

I love you so very much. Please write me a little note, Howard" [In Hughes's Hand]

"Dear Love- I guess you know me pretty well- I am watching IX. I'll come in when it's over. I love you and am thinking about us on our yatch [sic]. Love J" [In Jean Peters's hand]

"Boats this big are Hell to sell" [In Hughes's hand]

"This lawyer is a friend from college- Godfrey Issac - Mrs. Brend has had him as a mental patient- He owns me & even Arlen Money- and I'm sure, he's waiting for me to file a divorce suit – and that I can dangle in front of his eyes for years—But he did write Cis's will for nothing - & he's a nice guy.

The only reason for messing with the will is to satisfy the niece- who I am so glad was here when Cis- died- I used to worry that since you were footing all the bills; when she did die, some long lost nephew in Whales would sue for 1,000,000- & say we used her for research or something. But, we're clear on that score because the niece has been the one who talked to the doctor. I don’t like to have to go into gyrations – it is undignified. Cissie wrote a will- when I lived at Strada Vecchia – naming Mel as her exect executrix (not me – she didn't trust me to bury her properly. I was very hurt at the time. But anyway, now that she's gone I want the will to be properly probated – sp O called the lawyer- because Ben can't find her copy- so I know all she has as an estate is $504.00 in a checking account- The lawyer said "there is a state law that lawyers get only a % of the estate & our office is not interested-" So I said "Well, don't you know any young lawyers who need experience" & he said There aren't any that young! If I were a bail-bondsman – the worst thing an inmate could send me as an inducement, would be that stone-faced, lantern-jawed Ella Raines! And even his name I bet, is phony. You can bank of it. 3 minutes to zero." [In Jean Peters' hand]

Jean Peters was married to Howard Hughes between the years 1957-1971 and it has been reported according to columnist Jack Anderson, that Peters was "the only woman [Hughes] ever loved."

[together with]

[HUGHES, Howard, association]. Original Drawing of a Map of Hughes’ 1938 Circumnavigation via Airplane. [San Francisco: Examiner Reference Library, Jul 14, 1938]

An original drawing by an artist at the San Francisco Examiner of a global map and the route of Hughes record breaking flight. On verso of the mat is the newspaper's reproduction of the map and caption. Image size (7 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches; 195 x 195 mm), Clipping size (6 7/8 x 6 inches; 173 x 150 mm) Mat size (10 3/4 x 8 inches; 225 x 205 mm).

Pen and ink drawing on cardstock of the globe with the path of Hughes’ flight, originating in New York, following a polar route to Paris, France, next onto Moscow, Soviet Union, then onto Omsk, Soviet Union, then Yakutsk, Siberia, then back to New York. San Francisco is highlighted on the map, as this was for the Examiner.

With some scuffing, toning and soiling to mat. White -out corrections have been made to artwork. With two Examiner inkstamps in the margin and one on the newspaper image, all dated Jul, 14 1938.

Hughes broke the circumnavigation airspeed record on this flight.

HBS 68024.

$3,750. (Inventory #: 68024)