Howard Hughes archive to sell for $15,000 in US auction

A remarkable archive of documents from eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes' around-the-world flight in 1938 will sell at a US auction on November 7.

Howard Hughes auction archive photograph signed
Signed photographs of Hughes and his crew will feature in the sale



One of the most influential aviators in history, Hughes set many world bests in the field, including multiple air speed records. He completed his around-the-world flight in just 91 hours, beating the previous record by more than four hours.

The archive, the likes of which have never been seen at auction before, is expected to bring in excess of $15,000. Selling at the top of the sale will be Hughes' personal notebook, which is full of information he gathered in preparation for the record-breaking flight.

The book contains "everything one might need on an around the world flight", according to the auction house, with the obsessive-compulsive Hughes meticulously recording every possible piece of information that could have been needed on the trip. Containing questions and phrases in Russian should the plane be forced to land, and prepared welcome speeches for each of his stops, it is expected to sell for $3,000-5,000.

Howard Hughes archive auction sparkplug
The sparkplug was presented to Hughes' flight manager Al Lodwick



One of the most highly anticipated lots is a mounted sparkplug from the Lockheed Supra Electra used to complete the flight. The sparkplug was originally presented to Al Lodwick, who served as Hughes' flight manager "for his help in making the flight successful". It will sell with an $800-1,200 estimate.

Also included in the archives is an array of both signed and unsigned photographs from the flight, as well as official documents that Hughes was required to carry at all times during his voyage.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering Charles Rolls' personal collection of Wright Brothers photographs - an extraordinary collection of seven rare original images showing Wilbur Wright's first European flight. See more of our superb aviation memorabilia.

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