History buffs and mafia obsessive will soon get their chance to own a piece of history when artifacts owned by some of the most important figures in organized crime go on Auction in August.
Julien’s Auctions is set to put up a collection for auction on August 28 that features treasures from some of the most disreputable American criminals of the 20th century, including Al Capone, Bugsey Siegel, Mickey Cohen and many more.
Among the most high profile items going up for auction is a hand-written letter by Al Capone — who earned the nickname ‘Scarface’ — that was sent to his son Albert Francis ‘Sonny’ Capone.
Criminal history: A treasure of artifacts connected to the most famous mobsters of the 20th century will go on auction from Julien’s Auctions on August 28
The items all come from the collection of Jay Bloom, who is the founder of the Las Vegas Mob Experience, which is located at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.
In 1931, Capone was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was moved to the newly opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off the coast of San Francisco. While there, he wrote the letter to his son.
At the time, Capone was suffering from mental decline brought on by syphilis, which had gone untreated as penicillin wasn’t widely available in the United States until the 1940s.
In the letter, which is expected to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000, the mob boss shares details of his time in the maximum security prison, which was closed in 1963 and turned into a tourist landmark.
He notes that he had learned how to play a mandola, a stringed instrument, and he says that he looks forward to seeing his family again within a year.
Another letter in the collection was sent by Meyer Lansky to his second wife, Thelma ‘Teddy’ Schwartz.
The mob accountant sent the love letter in 1948, and it’s estimated to sell for $3,000–$5,000.
Correspondence: Among the most high profile items going up for auction is a hand-written letter by Al Capone — who earned the nickname ‘Scarface’ — that was sent to his son Albert Francis ‘Sonny’ Capone
Out of it: At the time, Capone was suffering from mental decline brought on by syphilis, which had gone untreated as penicillin wasn’t widely available in the United States until the 1940s
Collection: The items all come from the collection of Jay Bloom, who is the founder of the Las Vegas Mob Experience, which is located at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino
Personal: Another letter in the collection was sent by Meyer Lansky to his second wife, Thelma ‘Teddy’ Schwartz.
Pricy: The mob accountant sent the love letter in 1948, and it’s estimated to sell for $3,000–$5,000
Lansky shared his story in a set of four hand-written notebooks, also for sale, that have been dubbed the Lansky Diaries. They’re expected to sell for a hefty $50,000–$70,000.
Lanksy’s connection to other gangsters is represented via a monogrammed oak cane that was given to him as a gift by Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano.
The cane is capped off with gold at the top with ‘ML’ carved into it. The can is expected to go for $5,000–$7,000.
The auction also includes the Medal of Freedom ($40,000–$60,000) that was presented to him in a secret ceremony by President Harry Truman, after Lansky worked with the Sicilian mob to provide information to American forces about Nazi troop locations during WWII.
Lanksy and fellow criminal Luciano also connected with the Sicilians to help American troops navigate the unfamiliar terrain.
Lansky inscribed copy of the Haggadah, the Jewish text read at Passover Seder, is expected to sell for $2,000–$3,000, while his black mini address book could go for a modest $100 or $200 dollars.
Friends: Lanksy’s connection to other gangsters is represented via a monogrammed oak cane that was given to him as a gift by Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano
Precious: The cane is capped off with gold at the top with ‘ML’ carved into it. The can is expected to go for $5,000–$7,000
Secret history: The auction also includes the Medal of Freedom ($40,000–$60,000) that was presented to him in a secret ceremony by President Harry Truman, after Lansky worked with the Sicilian mob to provide information to American forces about Nazi troop locations during WWII
Religious text: Lansky copy of the Haggadah is expected to sell for $2,000–$3,000
Personalized: The Haggadah, the Jewish text read at Passover Seder, is inscribed
A steal: His black mini address book could go for a modest $100 or $200 dollars
Standing out: A colorful set of bow ties belong to him is expected to fetch $3,000–$5,000
A colorful set of bow ties belong to him is expected to fetch $3,000–$5,000.
Mobster Bugsy Siegel, who is credited with help develop the main strip in Las Vegas in the 1940s, is represented in the collection via his personal Smith and Wesson .38 CTG revolver.
It’s the only handgun that’s known to be associated with him, and it’s estimated to sell for between $20,000 and $30,000.
READ RELATED: What Was The Final Day Of Amy Allan’s Life Like?
The auction features an M1 Carbine Rifle, which is the same style rifle that is believed to have been used to kill Siegel, though it’s not the rifle in question. The one on offer is expected to sell for between $3,000 and $5,000.
The gangster, who was shot and killed by a sniper at his Beverly Hills mansion in 1947, also has a letter up for auction that he wrote to his Esta Krakower while traveling to Vegas.
He helped get the Flamingo Hotel and Casino up and running, and there’s are ceramic flamingo busts that he gave to guests on opening night.
The busts are among just a few of the surviving figures to be given to 200 VIPs at the opening. They’re estimated to sell for $2,000–$3,000.
Dangerous: Mobster Bugsy Siegel, who is credited with help develop the main strip in Las Vegas in the 1940s, is represented in the collection via his personal Smith and Wesson .38 CTG revolver
Similar item: The auction features an M1 Carbine Rifle, which is the same style rifle that is believed to have been used to kill Siegel, though it’s not the rifle in question. The one on offer is expected to sell for between $3,000 and $5,000
Family: The gangster, who was shot and killed by a sniper at his Beverly Hills mansion in 1947, also has a letter up for auction that he wrote to his Esta Krakower while traveling to Vegas
Rare: He helped get the Flamingo Hotel and Casino up and running, and there’s are ceramic flamingo busts that he gave to guests on opening night. The busts are among just a few of the surviving figures to be given to 200 VIPs at the opening. They’re estimated at $2,000–$3,000
Jewelry: Diamond stud earrings that belonged his girlfriend Virginia Hill are expected to sell for $3,000–$5,000
Elegant: Among the items connect to Siegel is an antique Japonais cigarette case made of silver and decorated with a gorgeous Japanese setting
Diamond stud earrings that belonged his girlfriend Virginia Hill are expected to sell for $3,000–$5,000.
Among the items connect to Siegel is an antique Japonais cigarette case made of silver and decorated with a gorgeous Japanese setting.
It has Meyer’s name engraved and should fetch between $6,000 and $8,000.
Some lucky buyers may get an unprecedented look in to the personal life of Anthony Spilotro, who oversaw illegal casino profits for Chicago mobsters throughout the 1970s and ’80s.
Spilotro, who disappeared with his brother Michael, served as the inspiration for Joe Pesci’s doomed character in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 mob epic Casino.
A Revere Model 408mm video camera that still contains undeveloped film is estimated to sell for $1,000–$2,000, and reels of Super 8 home movies made by the gangster are expected to sell for $2,000–$3,000.
Videos: Some lucky buyers may get an unprecedented look in to the personal life of Anthony Spilotro, who oversaw illegal casino profits for Chicago mobsters throughout the 1970s and ’80s
Behind the scenes: Spilotro, the inspiration for Joe Pesci’s character in Martin Scorsese’s Casino, has a Revere Model 408mm with undeveloped film and reels of Super 8 home movies on sale
The Chicago Outfit boss Joseph Aiuppa is represented by a leather shotgun shell bag that is stamped on the sides with his initials and a stamp of a shotgun shell.
During his time running the crime organization, the Chicago Outfit took control of Las Vegas casinos.
He was convicted in 1986 of skimming profits from the casinos and was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Aiuppa was also represented in Scorsese’s film Casino, which details the fall of the Chicago Outfit’s involvement in Vegas. He died in 1997.
Hunting attire: The Chicago Outfit boss Joseph Aiuppa is represented by a leather shotgun shell bag that is stamped on the sides with his initials and a stamp of a shotgun shell
Fighting back: Black Spartan boxing gloves belong to LA-based crime boss Mickey Cohen are expected to be auction for $10,000–$20,000
Gaudy: He also has jewelry in the auction, including his gold and diamond Star of David ring ($800–$1,200) and his rose gold initial ring ($500–$700)
Rise and fall: Although much of his work was connected to Vegas, Cohen lived in Los Angeles. He was convicted of tax evasion in 1951 and has been portrayed in several books and films in subsequent decades
Black Spartan boxing gloves belong to LA-based crime boss Mickey Cohen are expected to be auction for $10,000–$20,000.
He also has jewelry in the auction, including his gold and diamond Star of David ring ($800–$1,200) and his rose gold initial ring ($500–$700).
Cohen got his start in organized crime in Cleveland, before working for Bugsy Siegel to help set up the Flamingo in Las Vegas.
Although much of his work was connected to Vegas, Cohen lived in Los Angeles.
He was convicted of tax evasion in 1951 and has been portrayed in several books and films in subsequent decades.
Source:
