Very desirable ALS signed “Howard,” three pages, 8.5 x 13.25, March 28, 1968. Letter to his assistant, confidant, and former FBI agent, Robert "Bob" Maheu, in part: "San Dunes, the answer is by all means yes. However, lets trade the price to the lowest possible figure. Why not try an immediate all cash offer of $300,000. Tonite or tomorrow a.m. Please tell Nall I want the tract next to this also—marked 'Zoong' on the map. This entire tract is a wash—thus very poor land. Under water whenever they have a flash flood. That is why I urge 300 for the Sand Dunes because I want to buy Zoong cheap, and I know the price of one will affect the other. Lets try a low—very low figure for Zoong at the same time we offer 300 for Sand Dunes. Then we can can see that Sand Dunes learns of our offer to Zoong, and beside that the $300,000 will look very good. Also please tell Mr. Nall I want to buy all the rest of the land between Sands and Flamingo Rd., except that which is improved with something valuable. That includes the corner lot next to Caesars Palace. I would like a map of the above area and Nall's best estimate—not the asking price—Nall's best estimate of what each tract can be bought for. Please include any improved land if improvements not too valuable...The Hospital, how much will it cost and, (roughly—very roughly, without approaching anyone even remotely connected with the hospital) what does it consist of. Such as: Cost (very rough), Age, Area of land, Floor area. I thought Dalitz owned this hospital...Hank, will you tell him I will check into the hospital without any delay at all. Please tell Hank that, in any event, I appreciate very much his kind advice and he may be sure we will guided by it. Please tell him to rest assured that, as the result of his message, we will enter into some philanthropic project of importance. That we will do so without delay. Don't try to extract a promise, but try to bring him to a frame of mind whereby you can tell me you are convinced he will not attack us if we do something substantial and soon. This man has always frightened me because he is unpredictable and emotional. He can praise you to the skies one day and son-of-a-bitch you all over the place the next. And nobody knows it better than we do. Don't you remember that double-cross when we first got here?" In fine condition, with staple holes to the upper left corner. Despite having never met face-to-face, Maheu was one of Hughes's closest aides and trusted advisor's during the 1960's. Most significantly, Maheu shielded Hughes from the public and orchestrated the deals that made the reclusive billionaire a Las Vegas power player during the city's critical development period.
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