Sold For $62,501
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Extremely rare vintage textured matte-finish 8 x 10 photo of Chicago Outfit icon Al Capone in a relaxed, seated pose, neatly signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "To My Friend Joe Cook, Al Capone.” Affixed to a same-size contemporary cardstock mount and in fine condition, with a light crease to the upper left, and the salutation a couple of shades light. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
The fantastic image reveals the duality of Al Capone, who assumes a left-facing pose to hide the long scar on his cheek that gave rise to his famous nickname, 'Scarface.' To some, Capone was a folk hero—sponsoring soup kitchens, patronizing the arts, and contributing to all manner of charitable endeavors. To others, he was a ruthless villain—hellbent on dominating Chicago's bootlegging and vice industries by any means necessary. In this remarkable autographed portrait, the well-kept Capone looks more like a choir boy than a cold-blooded killer. Capone's autograph is scarce in any format, and especially so in signed photographs—this is the only photo of this size ever offered at auction.
The Marc and Mary Perkins Collection.
