American gangster (1906–1947), who began his career as an associate of Meyer Lansky and eventually became one of the most influential figures in the history of organized crime. After amassing a fortune in gambling and bootlegging, Siegel made a lasting, if dubious, contribution to American culture by pioneering the real estate boom in Las Vegas that would turn the desert outpost into a bustling urban center and America’s legendary epicenter of vice. After a downturn in his Vegas enterprises and suspicions that he was stealing from his Mafia investors, Siegel was fatally shot in the head. Though his assailant is unknown, it is widely assumed that he was executed on the orders of Lucky Luciano, who was then directing American Mafia operations from his post-deportation “exile” in Italy. We offer a singular relic of the storied mobster: Siegel’s personal forged passport, originally “issued” on December 31, 1935. The red leatherette-bound passport, which resembles a legal, U.S.-issued passport in every respect, was evidently manufactured from an authentic blank. Siegel, by then a well-known, high-profile criminal, would have found such a document vital in insuring his free movement across international borders at a time when his actions were closely monitored by the U.S. government. The passport bears a photo of the neatly dressed, rather benign-looking mobster, which he signs with his alias, “Berish Siegel”; he has also used this name in signing the page that includes his personal description. His date of birth is given as March 15, 1901 (his actual date of birth was February 28, 1906). The line for “Occupation” reads “Garage Owner,” crossed out; on a later page, this is amended to “Broker” with a certification ink stamp and signature from the Department of State. Several customs stamps throughout document trips to Great Britain, France, and Italy in 1939. A touch of mild handling wear, otherwise fine, clean condition. A significant personal effect from this most notorious of mobsters, bearing a form of his signature that is likely unique. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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