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Sale 61
Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction
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Lot 433 |
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Capone, Al (1899-1947) Infamous Prohibition-era Chicago gangster named "Public Enemy Number One"; nicknamed "Scarface." Rare Typed Letter Signed "Alphonse Capone," one page, 11½x7¾ in. (Alcatraz Prison), July 3, 1936. To Sanford Bates, Federal Prisons Director in Washington, D.C., asking for a transfer from Alcatraz because he fears for his life. Capone attempts to sound learned, which only emphasizes his poor language skills. A contemporary ink smear affects the first four letters of "Alphonse," not affecting legibility.
In part: (mistakes are unchanged) "I the undersigned am aware that my brethren; namely Ralph Capone has called to your attention my pledge to be transfered from this here Alcatraz and to be placed in another state penitentiary….I firmly beleiveth that my transfer will have a great affirmative and positive impact on my health. The atmosphere in Alcatraz creates tension between many prisoners. I have been especially observant of prison rules and have continously conducted myself in a gentlemanly manner which is why I earnestly hope that you will find no ubiquity in transferring me to another penitentiary. My main reason for writing this pledge is because my life is in contant danger, I have in fact received over six threats in the last three months. My health is also impaired…the cell in itself is damp and a lack of air sometimes keeps me up during the nights. I would like…a privilege which is enjoyed by many inmates…physical exercise and contact with each other in the outdoor premisses and within the outdoor respectful boundaries. Recently a rumor has risen that I have bribed a prison guard into granting me time in one of the main halls…but I refuse to leave my cell at any given time due to fear of my safety or my person being harmed. I give my word of honor that I will assume any guilt and shame for any bribes of any officials or prisoners….It shall be my earnest hope that you deem my cause with neutrality and honesty, in so doing I thank you for even considering the latter request."
Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, and early on joined street gangs, among whose members were Johnny Torrio and Lucky Luciano. In 1920, Capone went to Chicago to work for Torrio, who was a big shot in the Colosimo Mob. Torrio and Capone took over after Big Jim Colosimo was murdered and won control of bootlegging and vice in Chicago after battling the rival O'Banion gang. Torrio retired in 1925 after being seriously wounded and Capone became the boss. He controlled political campaigns and much of the police force and was ruthless in wiping out rivals; in 1929 he ordered the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of Bugs Moran's gang. Between 1925 and 1930 Capone's income was reported to be $100 million a year. Capone always managed to be out of town when murders were committed and so evaded prosecution, but by 1930 he had been named "Public Enemy Number One." In 1931 Capone was indicted on 23 counts of income tax evasion and convicted on five of the counts. He was sentenced to ten years in a federal prison and in May 1932 was sent to Atlanta State Prison, where he set himself up in style and took over as kingpin of the prison. Sanford Bates, to whom this letter is written, and Attorney General Homer Cummings decided to transfer Capone to Alcatraz, where he could wield no influence. Capone subsequently became a model prisoner in the hope of getting transferred. It was not until 1938 that Capone, who was showing syptoms of syphilis, was transferred to Terminal Island Prison in southern California to finish out his sentence. He was released in November of 1939 but was incapacitated by syphilis and died on January 25, 1947 from complications of the disease.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$19,388 |
Lot 434 |
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Capone, Al. Gold pinkie ring monogrammed "AC". Worn by Al Capone and given to gangster Mickey Cohen by Ralph Capone, Al's brother, upon Al's death in 1947. The ring is a size 8. Before becoming the defacto boss of criminal activity in Los Angeles, Mickey Cohen (1913-1976) worked for Al Capone. In 1961, Mickey was convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. While he was in prison, Jim Smith, Cohen's right hand man from 1956-1976, visited him and took care of things on the outside. Mickey gave Smith personal items which had belonged to Capone and other gangsters. When Cohen was released from federal prison in January 1972, Smith picked him up and was with him for the rest of his life. After Cohen's death in 1976, Smith took over most of Cohen's possessions, including paintings, clothes, jewelry, and furniture. A sworn affidavit by Jim Smith is included with this ring. Also included are copies of pages from Mickey Cohen's autobiography, Mickey Cohen: In My Own Words, which include information on Jim Smith's relationship to Cohen.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
View details and enlarged photo
| Realized
$8,100 |
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