Crowd of people watching Howard Hughes arrive at the Washington Airport in Washington D.C. to thank Cordell Hull for the State Department's co-operation of Hughes' Round the World flight.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Crowd Greets Hughes On Arrival In Capital, Washington D.C. -- Howard Hughes and his companions came to Washington July 21, to personally thank Secretary of State Cordell Hull for the State Department's co-operation on their record world flight, and incidentally to be feted at a luncheon of the Press Club. The photo shows Hughes, in park suit and black hat, as he was led through a huge crowd on his arrival at the Washington Airport. Credit Line (ACME) 7/21/38 (NY FOR)."

Description printed on back of photograph: "As Hughes and his crew thanked Hull for cooperation Washington, D. C.-- Howard Hughes and his intrepid companions are shown here as they visited the State Department, July 21st, to thank Secretary Cordell Hull for cooperation on their round-the-world flight. Left to right: Richard Stoddart, Thomas Thurlow, Howard Hughes, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Harry Connor. Credit Line (ACME) 7/21/38."

A view of crowds watching Howard Hughes arrive at Floyd Bennett Field in New York.

A view of crowds waiting to see Howard Hughes arrive at Floyd Bennett Field in New York.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes walking along a hall at the State Department. Left to right: Jesse Jones, Howard Hughes, Harold Brayman, President of the National Press Club. July 1938."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Chicago crowd greeting Howard Hughes when he arrived there."