$3,250
Hughes' "Little Black Book," a term coined in an article by August, 1938, which called it a "bible of factual data for Hughes and the crew" of his Around-the-World flight. The small binder, compiled for Hughes' personal use, includes everything one might need on an Around-the-World flight: a series of questions and statements in English and Russian, should the plane be forced to land, including "Please give us food," "Where can we find an air pump," or "I am Howard Hughes, an American, and these are members of my crew"; numerous facts about the American aviation industry and the technology behind Hughes' Lockheed, to impress his colleagues abroad; detailed facts about France, Germany, Poland, USSR and the other countries they would be visiting or flying over; preparations made for landing in Paris, Winnepeg, Edmonton and Fairbanks; numerous pages of airplane radio communication instructions; and prepared welcome speeches for each of his stops. In keeping with the marketing purpose of the expedition, each speech included an invitation on behalf of Grover A. Whalen, to the upcoming New York World's Fair of 1939.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2012-11-07
