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."
The black and white view of Howard Hughes sitting in the Northop Gamma Racer in New York. Text printed on a card included with the image: "Hughes sets new Miami-New York record Howard Hughes, Millionaire flier and pictured in the cockpit of his low-wing Northrop all-metal, plane, shortly after landing in New York, April 21st, 4 hours and 22 minutes after having taken off from Miami, Fla. He had beaten the record established by Jimmy Wedel in July 1933, by 36 minutes."
Description given with photo: "Non-Stop Los Angeles - New York Flight Inaugurated New York -- Howard Hughes, pilot, and Joseph Bartles (right), relief pilot, at the controls of the TWA Constellation which inaugurated non-stop Los Angeles - New York flights when the ship landed at LaGuardia Airport Feb. 15. Hughes, famous flier and TWA executive, was at the controls during the flight made in 8 hours, 38 minutes. Many Hollywood luminaries made the first flight. Credit (ACME). 2-15-46."
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.