#14185 • Howard Hughes' Personal Flying Hat W/Provenance

Part of Celebrity & Others Jewelry, Coins, & More (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: No sale

Est. $7,500-$10,000 Howard Hughes' Only Known Personal Flying Hat From His "Last Best Friend" Jack Real W/Provenance in Custom Wood & Glass Display Case - This one of a kind, important piece is the only known personal flying hat of Howard Hughes. Hughes was an esteemed aviator, filmmaker, and business tycoon, and was once described as "the richest man in the world." From their first meeting in 1957 until Mr. Hughes' death, Real and Hughes were best friends, and Mr. Real was also Hughes' personal advisor and confidant. Mr. Real became the President and CEO of Hughes Helicopter, and brought that firm back from ruin. While piloting a prototype airplane for the Air Force on June 7, 1946, a fire started and Hughes crash landed into the top of a home in Beverly Hills. The crash and ensuing fire left Hughes in a hospital bed for a year, his will to fly was dashed, and he did not fly after this incident. Later, he flew once again in 1961, but his flying hat had burned in the crash, and he felt is was bad luck to fly without one, and he would not fly again after this time. However, according to a letter written by Mr. Real in 2003 and pertaining to the origin of this black hat, Hughes did fly again, but it was not until 1973. As the letter states, Mr. Real solved the dilemma of a flying hat for Mr. Hughes by purchasing this hat for Mr. Hughes in London, and the two flew in England the next day, for the first time since 1961. Hughes kept this special hat on his bedside table until he died in 1976. Our seller was given this hat by Mr. Real, as he handled Mr. Real's estate as he was completing his book about his years with Hughes in 2003. The hat comes with a letter from Mr. Real, that came from his attorney's office. The hat is in a beautiful, custom wood and glass display case. This is truly a remarkable piece of history, and would be perfect for any aviation enthusiast or history buff.