From the 1939 New York World's Fair – PSA Encapsulated

Offered here is a vintage, fully intact, richly colored Art Deco General Motors brochure titled Highways and Horizons, signed at the time by Howard Hughes at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Even unsigned examples of this visually striking GM piece are not easily located today. To find one bearing a period Hughes signature—directly tied to the Fair and the GM pavilion—is exceptional.

The brochure originates from the famed General Motors pavilion, home of the revolutionary Futurama exhibit and widely considered the centerpiece corporate attraction of the Fair. GM’s display projected a bold vision of America’s future—superhighways, streamlined transportation, and aviation-inspired engineering—all under the theme “The World of Tomorrow.”

At that very moment, Hughes was the living embodiment of that vision. Fresh off his 1938 round-the-world record flight, he symbolized speed, aerodynamics, and American industrial dominance. He is known to have spent considerable time at the GM booth during the exposition, functioning in what can best be described as a de facto partnership or promotional alignment. The association was natural: both Hughes and GM were advancing the same message—modern engineering, bold design, and a confident industrial future.

A signed GM pavilion brochure is therefore not incidental; it is thematically perfect.

The piece is encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA, providing ideal presentation and preservation.

Howard Hughes’ autograph is considered extremely difficult to obtain—in many cases significantly more challenging than those of 19th-century industrial titans such as John D. Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan, and Cornelius Vanderbilt. His increasing reclusiveness—well underway by the 1950s—severely limited authentic signature opportunities. Supply has always lagged far behind demand, placing genuine Hughes material among the most elusive of major American business figures.

This is only the second example we have handled, underscoring its importance. When it was offered to us, we did not hesitate—we were quick to secure it.

If you collect autographs of the great businessmen who shaped America—and indeed the modern world—this is a must. Do not overlook this one. It is that important… and that RARE.

Comes authenticated and encapsulated by PSA.