Lot #173

Howard Hughes Handwritten Notes on Negotiation

Description

Howard Hughes' on his negotiation tactics: "I will make the roving merchant an offer a little below what I expect we will have to pay, and he will come back with a compromise price"

Unsigned handwritten notes by Howard Huges, one page both sides, 8.5 x 14, no date but circa 1964. Hughes pens several notes, expressing several thoughts on a negotiation: "The price is high but it is only an asking price. They can be bought at a reasonable price. I am sorry for the delay, but I wish you would have more faith in me. I promise this jewelry is not a part of some involved plot to escape giving you the car. Meanwhile, I will make the roving merchant an offer a little below what I expect we will have to pay, and he will come back with a compromise price and then I will know just about what they will cost—or very close to it. At the figure I will offer, if he takes it, we will be fortunate, and if you decide you don't like them, we can always sell them for that amount. I know the breed of this character. I can tell from his cases & equipment. He will require a certain amount of oriental haggling. And you have no doubt about travelling salesmen. Being almost a farmer's daughter—Isn't this the one where they all wind up at the water's edge and the money is at the bottom of the lake? A lake that was formed after the money was buried. Like Lake Mead." Hughes' rambling notes are evidently directed to his then-wife, Jean Peters, with whom he preferred to communicate by handwritten message.

On one side of the sheet, a member of Hughes' 'Mormon Mafia,' Roy Crawford, pens a brief note: "Irrespective of when Levar is able to return to work full time, it is urgent was have an additional man in our group since it will take several days to indoctrinate him thoroughly." In fine condition.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Royalty
• Dates: #659 - Ended March 08, 2023

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