Lot 444
Hughes, Howard: Autographed Notation Signed on a Partial, Vintage Land Grant Originally Signed by Gov. Oswald West in Early 1900s. Howard Hughes (1905-1976) Legendary business magnate, pilot, airplane builder/designer, film director, investor and philanthropist whose mental decline in the 1970s became a national obsession. He remains one of the most influential and notable Americans of the 20th Century. Offered is a most unusual piece. Oswald West was Governor of Oregon for only one term, 1911-1915 and Hughes has scribbled on a partial document from the State Land Board signed by Gov. West and the land clerk: Bob-I want you to have Maheu call me! I want to check the validity of this! Howard Hughes 9-11-69 6:30 PM .
One can only surmise Hughes is inquiring about a property in Oregon and if the document which he has torn evenly along the bottom fold remains legitimate. Who Bob is could be any number of people but he is referencing Robert Maheu, a businessman and lawyer, who worked for the FBI and CIA, and as the chief executive of Hughes' Nevada operations. In 1972 Hughes famously fired Maheu and when asked why: "Because he's a no-good, dishonest son of a bitch, and he stole me blind. … you wouldn't think it could be possible with modern methods of bookkeeping and accounting and so forth for a thing like the Maheu theft to have occurred, but believe me, it did, because the money's gone and he's got it."
4 x 8, Hughes writing in pencil which was the norm for him, his signature bold as is Oswald West's. The content is telling. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500
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| Realized $688 |
