American organized crime boss (1899–1947), who, through his charisma, political savvy, and sheer ruthless ambition, emerged as the most powerful and influential criminal figure of the Prohibition Era. Incredibly rare bold pencil signature and inscription, “To my friend, Peter Marisca, Al Capone,” on an off-white 6 x 9 sheet of stationery from Chicago’s Lexington Hotel. Heavy intersecting folds (vertical fold passing through the “Ca” of “Capone,” not at all affecting the overall legibility of the handwriting), a few small holes along folds, rough bottom edge (easily matted out), and scattered light wrinkling and soiling, otherwise very good condition.
Accompanied by a letter from Kenneth W. Rendell Gallery regarding a prior sale of the item and a 12-page carbon copy of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr.’s article about his fascinating interview with Capone for the publication Liberty Magazine. In this historic one-of-a-kind look into a criminal mastermind’s views, both personal and political, some perception is given forth as regards the motivations of this feared by some, yet by over 300,000 Chicagoans put to work at a critical time in our history - beloved. This exclusive interview was held at the Lexington Hotel in Chicago just a few months before Capone was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 10 years in prison. In the historic article, entitled “How Al Capone Would Run This Country,” Vanderbilt, Jr., describes Capone as physically resembling boxer Jack Dempsey. “Mentally he is Benito Mussolini himself; vocally it is as if William Randolph Hearst were talking,” he writes. He also quotes Capone as saying, “Us fellas has gotta open our pocketbooks, and keep on keeping them open, if we want any of us to survive. We can’t wait for Congress or Mr. Hoover or anyone else. We must help keep tummies filled and bodies warm. If we don’t, it’s all up with the way we’ve learned to live. Why, do you know...America is on the verge of its greatest social upheaval? Bolshevism is knocking at our gates. We can’t afford to let it it. We’ve got to organize ourselves against it.”
A remarkably scarce piece of Chicago crime history, this is only the fourth time in the 30-year history of RRAuction that we have offered a signed Capone item—with this only the second ‘signature’ (the others being a photo and a document). The bold and powerful handwriting rests on Lexington Hotel letterhead—the Windy City hotel that served as Capone’s headquarters and was dubbed ‘Capone’s Castle’ in the wake of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The original recipient of Scarface’s autograph was the personal chauffeur to Vanderbilt, who interviewed Capone at the Lexington just a few month before a 1931 tax evasion conviction. The accompanying article references Marisca, whom Vanderbilt calls his ‘Sicilian secretary,’ and describes a friendly encounter between Marisca and Capone. An incredible Capone signature—still one of the biggest names associated with Chicago with the demand far outweighing any authentic supply! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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