Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "New York Hails Hughes and His Companions, New York City - In the greatest reception since Lindbergh's, Howard Hughes and his four gallant companions paraded up Broadway July 15 almost smothered beneath New York's ticker tape accolade recognizing their record-smashing Round-The-World dash. This picture shows Hughes at City Hall as he paused only long enough for a glass of water. At right is his fellow Texan, Jesse Johes, chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Credit Line (ACME) 7-15-38."
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes is appointed Aeronautic Adviser to the New York Worlds Fair 1939 by Grover Whalen, its president."
Howard Hughes leaving his private hangar as he is wished "happy landings" and well wishes by friends before he boards his speedy Lockheed plane at Union Air Terminal in Burbank, California.