Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Mayor Laguardia on the steps of City Hall receiving Howard Hughes and his Globe Girdlers. They are (L-to-R) Ed Lund, Richard Stoddart, Thomas Thurlow, Laguardia, Howard Hughes, and Harry Connor. 7-15-38. (Press Association)."
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Contemplative smile. Here, Howard Hughes seems in rapt thought during one of the numerous speeches extolling his feat. Probably thinking of the "men who designed and perfected to its present remarkable state of efficiency, the modern American flying machine and equipment." (The quote is from his own official statement to the press.) Credit Lines (ACME) 7/15/38."
Howard Hughes talking to unidentified men who are presumably members of the press most likely about his completion of his Round the World flight in New York City, New York.