HOWARD HUGHES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER DOUBLE SIGNED CO-SIGNED BY: JEAN PETERS - HFSID 36736

HOWARD HUGHES and JEAN PETERS
The eccentric billionaire writes his wife, Jean Peters, asking to see her at 11:30, with Peters responding she does not feel too well, but will see him anyway. Hughes goes on to explain an item bought at auction, saying it was luckily higher priced than expected, since Peters doesn't "have a high regard for things that are too cheap"
Autograph letter double signed: "H", "H", "J", 1 page (front and verso), 8½x11¼. No place, no date, but circa 1964. Hughes' letter begins: "I love you, sweet dream". In full: "and will be awaiting to see you about 11:30 - if OK I will send a signal. Love". Peters' letter, written beneath her husband's, begins: "Dear Love-". In full: "Why do you think I would hear any needs? I do not understand your message. I do not feel well, but will be in at 11:30 - tho I may not be able to stay long. Love". Hughes has penned several notes on the verso and front of the page: "Dearest Love, please come now if you don't feel well and would like to go to bed early. I love you", "I like movies on trains", "To answer your question, I thought you would have heard all about the auction from the same source that brought us the folder. Anyway we got it, and I am sure you will be happy to learn that the price was higher than I predicted, because you don't have a high regard for things that are too cheap", "Therefore, if some-thing is cheap, you figure it must be cheap", "...the price - So... I think a few more kind words and a trace of a smile might be merited and certainly would be deeply appreciated - beyond measure", "That meant 25 - per person", "It's still a bargain", " [illegible] mañana?". The relationship between business tycoon HOWARD HUGHES (1905-1976) and actress JEAN PETERS (1926-2000), which was marked with strange meeting rituals and periods of little or no direct contact, was anything but normal, yet their sincere devotion to each other endured throughout their 14-year marriage. The dashing aviator and movie mogul had met Peters in 1946, when she had come to Hollywood as a prize for winning the Miss Ohio state title. Hughes was intrigued by Twentieth Century-Fox's rising star, who made her film debut in 1947. Following 11 years of sporadic dating, the two were married in a small mining town outside of Las Vegas on January 12, 1957. Hughes, known for working odd hours into the night, preferred to relay his business and personal directives via memos and hand-written notes rather than the spoken word, and he would communicate with his wife in this same manner. They jotted notes about planned meetings, films, business and opinions in general. In 1964, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes lived at the fashionable address of 1001 Bel Aire. However, their marital arrangements included separate living quarters, and Jean often was required to make an appointment with Hughes' aides in order to see her husband. By this time in their marriage, the couple was known to usually spend a half hour together after 11 p.m. before retiring to their separate bedrooms. In November 1966, Howard Hughes confined himself to a hotel penthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1970, after having spent most of her married life with Hughes in separate accommodations, Jean Peters Hughes was granted a divorce. Fold in center. Light surface creases. Frayed on bottom edge. Fine condition.