Justice Charles Evans Hughes on Supreme Court Duties and Aircraft Inquiry PSA

Title: 1918 Charles Evans Hughes Signed Letter on Supreme Court & WWI Aircraft Inquiry – PSA/DNA Certified (AP07523)

Description:
This is an exceptional Typed Letter Signed (TLS) by Charles Evans Hughes, dated October 28, 1918, on official letterhead from his law firm Hughes, Rounds, Schurman & Dwight of New York City. The letter is crisply signed in ink and is addressed to Thomas D. Neelands, then President of the Canadian Club of New York, in response to an invitation to a dinner event on November 11, 1918—a date that would become internationally recognized as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I.

In the letter, Hughes politely declines the invitation, citing demanding responsibilities arising from the Aircraft Inquiry and engagements related to the Supreme Court of the United States. He writes:

“The Aircraft Inquiry has been so protracted that I find myself in a jam of engagements, several of a peremptory sort in connection with the Supreme Court of the United States. I fear that I shall be in Washington on the night of November 11th, and it will not be possible for me to undertake any additional engagements for two or three months at least.”

Historical Context:
At the time of this correspondence, Charles Evans Hughes was deeply involved in one of the most high-profile investigations of the World War I era—the Aircraft Production Inquiry—appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to investigate mismanagement and inefficiency in the government’s wartime aircraft procurement. His role required deep legal and administrative expertise, and his findings helped shape postwar oversight reforms.

Simultaneously, Hughes remained a dominant figure in American public life. A former Governor of New York, U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1910–1916), and the Republican presidential nominee in 1916, Hughes had narrowly lost that election to Wilson. In 1918, while in private legal practice, he was often called upon for national service and legal consultation at the highest levels. Within a few years, he would be appointed Secretary of State (1921–1925) and ultimately become Chief Justice of the United States (1930–1941).

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This letter has been authenticated by PSA/DNA, the leading authority in autograph verification, and includes a full Letter of Authenticity (LOA) with certification number AP07523. The letter has been examined for signature integrity including pen pressure, slant, and flow, and meets all standards for Hughes’ known handwriting. A high-resolution image of the letter is also archived with PSA for public reference.

Closing Appeal:
This PSA-certified letter is not only a fine autograph from one of America’s most distinguished statesmen, but a firsthand glimpse into the legal and political demands of the World War I home front. Dated just days before the Armistice, and referencing both the Aircraft Inquiry and Supreme Court obligations, this document is a superb acquisition for collectors of presidential, legal, or wartime history—offering provenance, prominence, and historical resonance in one compelling package.