Exceedingly scarce and desirable commemorative airmail postal cover, 9.75 x 4.5, carried by Hughes on his triumphant 1939 around-the-world flight. The cover, issued in conjunction with the 1939 New York World’s Fair, bears several postage stamps, postmarks, and rubber stamps indicating the primary stops on the record-setting journey: Paris, Moscow, Omsk, Yakutsk, Fairbanks, Minneapolis, and the final destination, New York City. The front of the envelope has been boldly signed in fountain pen by Hughes and all three of his crewmen: co-pilot Harry Connor, radio engineer Dick Stoddard, and flight engineer Edward Lund. By this time, Hughes had become a record-breaking pilot and a national hero, and aircraft (and later, entire airlines) would remain his primary obsession for the next several decades. Short of parking the Spruce Goose in your driveway, it’s hard to imagine a Hughes item with greater collector appeal or a more splendid flight-related association! In fine condition, with a trivial trace of adhesive residue to back panel which is completely invisible from the front and which does not detract in any way. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
