rr auction: gangsters, lawmen, and outlaws

www.RRAuction.com(603) 732-4280

Gangsters,Outlaws, and

Lawmen

How to bidBID IN PERSONAttend the auction Sunday, September 30, to view the lots in-person and bid live! The auction will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, NH, and starts promptly at 10 AM ET. You may fill out an absentee bid form onsite if you are unable to stay for the entire sale.

BID BY INTERNETYou may bid online at www.RRAuction.com. Every lot is listed with a full description and images. Online absentee bids will be accepted until 7 PM ET, Saturday, September 29. Visit www.RRAuction.com on Sunday, September 30, starting at 10 AM ET, to continue to place Live Proxy bids and bid against live floor bids throughout the auction.

BID BY PHONEPlease call our office should you wish to arrange a live phone bid the day of the auction. No incoming calls or bids will be taken on the day of the auction. Absentee phone bids can be made by calling our offices at (603) 732–4280 up to 5 PM ET on Saturday, September 29.

BID BY EMAILYou can email your bids to Stacey Jordan ([email protected]). Please list lot numbers and bids in columns. Include your name, address, and phone phone as well as a statement that you accept the Terms and Conditions of the auction. Emails will be accepted up to 24 hours before the live auction.

BID BY POSTAL MAIL / FAXYou can fill out the absentee bid form in the back of the catalog and return it to RRAuction by mail or fax. See the form for more details.

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Gangsters, Outlaws, and Lawmen Live AuctionSEPTEMBER 30, 2012 • 10 AM

Auction PreviewSEPTEMBER 29, 2012 • 10 AM - 5 PMSEPTEMBER 30, 2012 • 8 AM - 10 AM

Absentee BiddingSEPTEMBER 29, 2012 • 7 PM

* See back of catalog for the auction Terms & Condition

The live auction will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, NH

The auction preview will be held at The Crowne Plaza in Nashua, NH. Auction preview will also be available in our Amherst, NH offices by appointment only.

Absentee bids will be accepted until 7 PM ET, Saturday, September 29th.

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Bob Eatonowner, [email protected]

Carla EatonNH Auctioneer License #3029

Bill Whitelead [email protected]

Mandy Eaton-Caseychief finical [email protected]

Elizebeth Ottoconsignment [email protected]

Bobby Livingstonvice president, public [email protected]

Tricia Eatonauction production [email protected]

Mike Nelsonsenior catalog [email protected]

Dan McCarthycatalog [email protected]

Jessica Hinckleyexecutive bidding [email protected]

Erika Rosenfeldinventory processing / [email protected]

Bobby Eatonvice president of [email protected]

Adam Karrshipping [email protected]

Stacey Jordancustomer [email protected]

Sarina Carloart [email protected]

Annie Nicholsjunior art [email protected]

Joyce Pattersonlive event [email protected]

Linda Immermanacquisitions [email protected]

Auction Consultants★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

BONNIE AND CLYDE HISTORIANS

L.J. Hinton: Curator of The Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibbsland, LA, and son of posse member Ted Hinton

Jonathan Davis: Historian and Author of “Bonnie & Clyde & Marie: A Sister’s Perspective on the Notorious Barrow Gang” Stephen F. Austin University Press 2012

HANDWRITING EXPERTS

Bill White: Lead Authenticator, RR Auction

Bob Eaton: Authenticator RR Auction and PSA/DNA

Tricia Benton: Authenticator RR Auction

FIREARM EXPERT

John Howard: former principal appraiser of J.C. Devine Auctioneers in Milford, NH 1989-2010 ________________

Robert S. Eaton Sr.1940–2001

________________

www.RRAuction.com | 3

1. Dalton Raid Gun. A Colt Lightning Double Action Revolver used at Coffeyville, Kansas in the shootout following the Dalton Gang’s twin bank robberies in 1892.

This revolver, serial number 16706, was made in 1879 and has a fac-tory 2 ½ inch barrel with an etched panel that reads “COLT D.A.38”. The gun is nickel finished, has factory checkered hard rubber grips and was made without an ejector rod. The revolver retains about 85% original nickel, the etched barrel panel is very legible and the grips show light wear with a large chip missing at the bottom of the right grip. The bore rates very good and the mechanism works in both the single and double action mode. A copy of a Colt factory letter is included that confirms the specifications and a shipment date of April 10, 1879 to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in New York City.

This Colt Lightning is very well known and was on display for many years in the Dalton Museum in Coffeyville, Kansas. While the bank robberies were taking place many of Coffeyville’s citizens were arming themselves, some taking guns from either the A.D. Boswell & Co. or the Isham Brothers & Mansur hardware stores. Lucius M. Baldwin was a 23-year-old clerk in the Read Brothers Dry Goods store who picked up this Colt at Isham’s hardware store. Unfortunately for young Baldwin he exited the back door at Isham’s just as Bob and Emmett Dalton exited the back door of the First National Bank, which was just next door to Isham’s. Both Bob and Emmett aimed their rifles at him and ordered him to halt. When Baldwin continued toward them, Bob shot him through the left chest, a wound which caused his death the next day. Baldwin was one of four Coffeyville citizens killed by the Dalton gang, with three others wounded. At an auction to raise money for the families of the dead townspeople, this

revolver was purchased by Hazard W. Read, who passed it down to his daughter Frances Read Kaiser. In 1964, upon her death, it was willed to Charlotte Read Dahlstrom.

Included are many documents relat-ing to the Dalton Museum and this gun, and probate documents relat-ing to Mrs. Charlotte Dahlstrom’s inheriting the gun and retrieving it from the museum. Also included is a 66-page reprint of an 1892 booklet written by D.S. Elliott, the editor of the Coffeyville Journal, that is titled “Last Raid of the Daltons.” In addition, there is a copy of “What Really Happened on October 5, 1892” by Lue Driver Barndollar. This hardcover was printed for the 100th year anniversary of the Dalton Raid and pictures many of the known guns that were used, including this one on page 61.

This is an antique revolver and transfers with no federal restrictions.

Provenance:Isham Brothers & MansurLucius M. BaldwinHazard W. ReadFrances Read KaiserCharlotte Read Dahlstrom

$25,000 – 50,000

FORMERLY DISPLAYED AT THE DALTON MUSEUM, the gun of the youngest Coffeyville Defender to fall at the hand of the notorious outlaws

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2. John Coffee Hays. An engraved caliber .36 Colt Fourth Model 1851 Navy revolver with inscription, “To John C. Hays / with Com-pliments of Col. Colt” on the backstrap. This has matching number 98229 over the dot that was used to denote factory engraving. The revolver is engraved in leafy scrollwork with a punch dot background, a hand-engraved “COLT’S PATENT” on the frame, an unusual portrait of a bearded man on the left side of the barrel lug and a wolf’s head on each side of its hammer. The revolver is in very good condition with an attractive dark gray patina on all the steel surfaces and about 60% of silver plating remaining on the brass gripstraps. The cylinder retains all of the original safety pins and about 75% of its roll engraved naval ship scene. The 7.5” octagonal barrel has a very good bore and the revolver is mechanically good. The one-piece ivory grip shows light wear with very attractive age toning.

This revolver was in the famed Gaines de Graffenried collection and was sold by Christie’s in June of 2001. John Coffee Hays (1817-1884) was a famous Texas Ranger and Indian fighter whose most historic moment involved his use of the then new Colt Paterson revolver in an engagement with hostile Comanches in 1841 at Enchanted Rock, Texas. In 1850, during the California gold rush, he was the sheriff of San Francisco, and in 1853 President Franklin Pierce appointed him Surveyor General of California.

Although no factory letter is now present, the Christie’s sale catalog indicates that this was shipped from the Colt factory in 1861 to Peale & Co. of Vicksburg, Virginia, not listed as engraved, 50 revolvers in the shipment. The revolver is accompanied by an original dark brown leather California pattern ‘Slim Jim’ holster in very good condition.

With only rifles and single-shot pistols, Texas Ranger John Coffee

Hays struggled to maintain control of the hostile Indian population. When he ordered a handful Samuel Colt’s new repeating revolvers in 1840, it caused a sudden and decisive turn of events; with the new guns, he fought the first successful mounted action against the Comanches at Enchanted Rock, a victory that was quickly celebrated along the frontier. His discovery of the new weapon came just in time for Colt; previously unable to find a market for his product, he was ready to leave gun manufacturing behind. But with the rave reviews of the Texas Rangers, business began to turn around. When Samuel Walker, a Ranger under the command of Hays, took charge of his own company in the Mexican-American War, he ordered 1,000 modified revolvers, a purchase that enabled Colt to establish his Patent Firearms Company.

By 1851, Hays had moved on to become Sheriff of San Francisco, and Colt’s business was thriving with his highest-selling gun, the Navy Revolver, in production. Undoubtedly aware of the role Hays played in his success, Colt offered this gun as a token of gratitude. This is a truly remarkable gift from one legend to another, neither of whom would have met such success without the contribution of the other.

This is an antique revolver and transfers with no federal restriction.

Provenance:Col. Jack HaysDecendants of Col. Jack HaysKjel StoredollenChristie’sRobert E. Davis

$30,000 – 40,000

JOHN COFFEE HAYES COLT PRESENTATION REVOLVER from the famed Graffenried collection


3. Wyatt Earp Endorsement. Exceedingly rare and very early handwritten endorsement, signed “W. S. Earp, Const,” on the reverse of a subpoena from the state of Missouri. The subpoena, dated February 28, 1870 reads, in part: “To Thomas G. Harvey, You are hereby commanded that, all excuses and delays being set aside, you personally be and appear before the undersigned, in the Township of Lamar…to testify on the trial of a case wherein the state of Missouri plaintiff, and Thomas Brown is defendant, on the part of the defendant and of this you are not to fail at your peril.” On the reverse, Earp writes: “I have served the within summons upon the within named Thomas G. Harvey by Reading the same to him this Feb. 28, 1870 - W. S. Earp, Const.” Double cloth matted and framed with a color copy of the front of the document, two images of Earp, one a portrait, the other with Bat Masterson and the Dodge City Peace Commission and two plaques, to an overall size of 25.75 x 17.5. A small tear to left edge, three unobtrusive filing holes along top edge, a central horizontal fold, and a small spot of soiling slightly affecting end of Earp’s signature, otherwise fine condition.

In 1869, 21-year-old Wyatt Earp joined his family in Lamar, Missouri, where his father Nicholas was the local constable. When Nicholas stepped down, Wyatt ran against his elder half-brother Newton for the position, winning by 137 votes and claiming his first position in public office. As constable he learned the service of process—summonses and subpoenas for people to appear in court—which became an integral part of his work later in life. This subpoena is believed to be the earliest known signed Earp document still in existence. An outstanding piece from the very beginning of what would become a legendary lawman’s career. $25,000 – 30,000

THE EARLIEST KNOWN SIGNED EARP DOCUMENT, an 1870 subpoena from his first role in public office

4. Josie Earp Letter. Lengthy ALS, written by Josie Earp, dictated by Wyatt Earp, signed “Best wishes from both Earps,” four pages both sides, 8 x 10, April 13, 1927. Letter to Wyatt Earp’s authorized biographer John Flood. In part: “I think it is just awful how they are all writing western stories; and all and every one of them are trying to write up Mr. E. You can see by the letter…Burns got…and yet they cannot get to the bottom of it all and want Mr. E to give to them…I should say you know Burns in all of his letters wrote he was protecting Mr. E and kept on saying I am not interfering with his book, and you can see for yourself…Mr. E did write him from here and told him some of the things he wanted to know…Mr. E would rather not have his name mentioned in the book at all. I am so happy that he wrote to him in that effect. He also said I am getting damn tired of it all and to…those old Moss Lacks in and around Tombstone tell a lot of lies and talk about things they know nothing about…just to be talking…he is going to make a big fight tell him Wyatt wrote in his letter that he never did a thing in his life that he was ashamed of and always just would think well as an officer…Now Wyatt wrote him just what I am telling you…He told him the truth. He is tired of it all. He even wrote when Virgil died…You see Wyatt told him he always tried to do the right thing by everyone. Never did a wrong knowingly never had trouble as an officer only when he was compelled to.

Tell him too Doc was not his friend anymore than the rest of them. Only as a sworn-in deputy. Any way get him to understand that he is not going to pull the wool over his eyes…We will have to fight that is all. Wyatt is very angry…Burns wrote to Wyatt and he got the same information then he can get in Tuscon…Tell him Mr. E story is being written and it is correct too. So many lies have been told…Tell him you have no pictures of any of the Tombstone old timers. None of myself. Doc was not any pal of mine only an acquaintance. First met him in Dodge City. He was then practicing dentistry. Met him again in Tombstone came from a prominent family in the South. Was one of my deputys [sic] when I was rounding up horse thiefs was not the bad man they made him out to be. Had his friends as well as enemies. Burns got all the datta [sic] you are asking for. And is now writing a book & am tired of it all. I wish you would please leave me out of it all so many lies have been told that I am going to put an stop to it all.” In fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, and some scattered light creasing and toning.

After a lifetime of false headlines and public speculation about his character and actions, Earp was determined to set the record straight; he hired John H. Flood as his secretary and they began work on his official biography. He never got over the damage done to his reputation after the gunfight at O.K. Corral – the shame of being charged with murder – and refused to go to the grave without clearing his name. In a letter to Burns, another author trying to publish an Earp biography, he wrote that he “never did a thing in his life that he was ashamed of and always just would think well as an officer,” and he “always tried to do the right thing by everyone.” He was also bothered by the widespread misconception, which still remains today, that he and Doc Holliday were lifelong friends and partners. Dictating to Josie, Wy-att discredits the myth and explains the truth of his somewhat inconsequential relationship with Doc: “Doc was not any pal of mine only an acquaintance. First met him in Dodge City…. Met him again in Tombstone… Was one of my deputys when I was rounding up horse thiefs was not the bad man they made him out to be. Had his friends as well as enemies.” This incredible letter cuts through the stories of Tombstone legend and provides an account straight from the hero’s mouth: the Earp-Holliday team was nothing more than a professional relationship, and an unremarkable one at that!

$10,000 – 12,000

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“Doc was not any pal of mine only an acquaintance...was one of my deputys when I was rounding up horse thiefs was not the bad man they made him out to be.

Had his friends as well as enemies”

WYATT DICTATES TO JOSIE:


5. Bat Masterson Dodge City Summons. Rare partly-printed DS, signed “W. B. Masterson,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, May 16, 1878. Summons to Dodge City reads, in part: “The State of Kansas to the Sheriff of Ford County…You are hereby commanded to notify The City of Dodge City Kansas that she has been sued by George M. Hoover.” Reverse bears an endorsement which reads, “As commanded by this writ, I summoned the within named City of Dodge City on the 16th day of May 1878, by delivering to E. F. Colburn to clerk of said city a certified copy of the within Summons and of the indorsement thereon.” Signed at the conclusion by Masterson as Sheriff, with a charge of $65 noted to the left of his signature, Further notation at the bottom states “Suit brought for recovery of damages; amount claimed $600.” Matted and framed, so both sides may be viewed, to an overall size of 11.5 x 14. The frame, in turn hooks onto a framed display with a portrait of Masterson, a name plaque, and a printed biography, to an overall size of 21.5 x 37.5. A central vertical fold, two horizontal folds, scattered light toning, and slight show-through from writing on reverse, otherwise fine condition.

At the request of Chief Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson arrived in Dodge City in 1877 to help gain control of the lawless, gun-slinging cowboys and buffalo hunters that gave the city its reputation as ‘Hell on the plains.’ He joined his two brothers on the force, taking a position as a sheriff’s deputy. Within a few months, he was elected Sheriff of Ford County. Though he received great recognition for his actions as Sheriff, he remained quick to draw and responded with deadly force on the turn of a dime. A month before signing this summons, Masterson’s brother Ed, Marshal of Dodge City, was shot and killed

in the line of duty; Bat watched from across the street and immediately opened fire on the shooter and his boss, killing one and severely injuring the other. This incident marked the beginning of the end for the group of famous Dodge City lawmen. Bat was voted out of office in 1879 and headed west, making a living as a drifting gambler once again before joining Earp and Holliday in their new lives in Tombstone.

This incredibly rare document, signed during his brief period as sheriff, marks the height of Dodge City’s legendary history. It captures an illustrious time in which the core figures of America’s Old West – Wyatt and James Earp, all three of the Masterson brothers, Doc Holliday and Big Nose Kate – could all be found in one rough-and-tumble city.

$20,000 – 25,000

EXCEEDINGLY RARE SUMMONS

SIGNED AS SHERIFF, Masterson compels a man

to appear in “Dodge City on the 16th day of May 1878”

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6. Judge Roy Bean Document. Very rare manuscript DS, one page, 7.5 x 9.5, December 23, 1889. A legal deposition concerning the case of Roy B. Trent who al-legedly shot at William Cox. Document reads: “In the case of Roy B. Trent. John C. Monier been duly sworn deposes and says I was standing bout 20 steps from the office. I saw a man standing inside the counter strike Wm. Cox with a stick. Wm. Cox run out. He followed him out.

Question by Roy B. Trent—Did you see Wm. Cox raise a Bar. Answer yes. Question—What happened after he raised the Bar. Roy B. Trent shot at him twice.Question by Roy B. Trent—did Wm. Cox come after me with a Bar. Answer—no. I then saw Wm. Cox run by Roy Bean’s house.” Signed along the bottom, “Sworn before me Roy Bean, J. P. Val Verde, Tex.”

Double cloth matted and framed with a portrait of Bean to an overall size of 21.5 x 17.25. Intersecting folds, a few creases, and some scattered mild toning, otherwise fine condition. It is likely that the described incident happened at Bean’s saloon as his house was situated right next door.

$2,000 – 4,000

7. Marshal Oath of Office Issued by Isaac Parker. Fearless and determined Justice (1838–1896) of the Indian Territory in western Arkansas who earned the nickname ‘The Hanging Judge’ because of the great number of convictions he secured against criminals, renegades, and fugitives from justice. Uncommon partly-printed DS, signed “I. C. Parker,” one page, 8.25 x 5.25, June 3, 1890. Oath of office in which A. P. Walker is sworn in as a US Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, signed and dated at the conclusion by Walker. Horizontal fold to lower portion, uniform toning, and show-through from docketing on re-verse, otherwise fine condition. Serving during one of the most dangerous times of western expansion, Parker sent 79 people to the gallows. Incidentally, as a reflection of the frontier violence, as many as 109 deputy marshals were killed in the line of duty during that time.

$700 – 900

8. Deadwood Sheriff Seth Bullock. Partly-printed DS, one page, 9.25 x 6, Febru-ary 12, 1889. Stock certificate for 1000 shares in the Ruby Bell Gold and Silver Mining Company issued to H. A. Forsyth and signed at the bottom by Bullock as the company’s president. “Location of Mines: Ruby Basin, Dakota” printed at the top. “Place of busi-ness, Deadwood, Dakota” printed on the bottom. Lower left corner states, “TIMES Steam Printing House, Deadwood.” Intersecting folds, cancellation cut to center resulting in a small area of paper loss, and an ink cancellation notation through the secretary’s signature, otherwise fine condition.

Shortly after settling in rough and rowdy Deadwood in 1876, Bullock took control of the lawless town as their first Sheriff. Beyond law enforcement, he also worked to boost the economy by better organizing mining efforts, encouraging local business, and developing the ranching industry. By 1889, it had become a prosperous, steady mining town. Printed, dated, and signed at Deadwood, this mining stock holds the autograph of one of the west’s finest lawmen, referred to by his friend Theodore Roosevelt as, ‘a true Westerner, the finest type of frontiersman.’

$400 – 600

THE FAMED JUDGE ROY BEAN signs a deposition in a saloon shooting

ATTRACTIVE MINING STOCK CERTIFICATE PRINTED, DATED, AND SIGNED IN DEADWOOD BY THE SHERIFF WHO TRANSFORMED THE TOWN


9. Pat Garrett Deputy US Marshal Badge, Derringer, and Coin Purse. A National Arms Co. Single Shot No. 2 Derringer belonging to Pat Garrett, Sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico.

This derringer, serial number 10772, has a 2 ½ inch barrel and is in caliber .41 rimfire. It has an iron frame with broad scroll engraving and smooth walnut grips. These derringers were made from 1865 until 1870 and this is the variation with the thin “knife blade” extractor. The barrel has a dark bore, most of the metal has a steel gray patina with some scattered fine pitting. The engraving is clear and the barrel address is partially illegible. The left grip has a grain crack through the screw escutcheon.

A handwritten letter from a James Warshal offering this derringer for sale for $72.60 is included. This states that it belonged to Pat Garett [sic], the famous sheriff who killed Billy the Kid. In part: “The 2nd Model National Derringer U. S. Marshall Badge &…Indian coin case…belong to the late Pat Garett [sic]…This material came from the estate of James Madison Hervey famous Roswell attorney who died in 1953. Who was attorney general of New Mexico 1907 to 1909. He investigated the murder of Pat Garett [sic] in Feb. 1908. He found

out Pat was killed by Jim Miller a paid killer was paid $1500.00.” This letter is written on the back of a mimeographed list of guns for sale that appears to date from the 1930s. Accompanied by a Deputy US Marshal badge made of nickel silver with a pin back having a safety catch. The back of the badge is marked in tiny letters “LAS & SCO” (Los Angeles Stamp and Stationary Co.) this badge is in fine condition and appears to be an original. Also part of the lot is a hand-sewn leather coin purse originally belonging to Pat Garrett with Indian beadwork on the front. This multi-colored design has hand-sewn tiny beads that are not uniform in size.

This is an antique pistol and transfers with no federal restrictions.

Provenance:Pat GarrettJames Madison HerveyJames WarshalR.B. WolfeCaren Archive Collection

$10,000 – 15,000

Garrett’s derringer from the estate of the ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO INVESTIGATED HIS MURDER

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10. Bob Dalton .45 Colt Revolver. A Colt Single Action Army Revolver carried by Dalton during the double bank robbery on October 5, 1892, in Cof-feyville, Kansas. This Colt, serial number 114188, cal. .45 Colt with a 7.5˝ barrel, was shipped to the Collins Gun Company, Omaha, Nebraska, on March 1, 1889. The included Colt factory letter states that this was a standard blue finish gun with a wood grip. What the letter doesn’t mention is that this was an ‘over-run’ on a US Government contract for cavalry revolvers. The frame, cylinder, and barrel have the government inspector’s initials “D.F.C.,” (David F. Clark) with no ‘US’ stamping on the frame. The one-piece walnut grip is worn and shows no trace of any inspector’s cartouche (as it likely never had one). All serial numbers match, the bore has good rifling with some fine pitting and the hammer safety notch is worn. The metal has a light gray patina with extensive pinprick pitting, all factory lettering is in good condition.

In addition to the Colt Factory letter a notarized handwritten statement dated August 14, 1954, from Morville C. Westenhaver is included. Mr. Westenhaver states that this Colt “#114188 was the gun owned and used by Bob Dalton when he was killed in the battle at Coffeyville, Kansas, October 5, 1892. The gun was picked up by my grandfather M. C. (Aisia) Westenhaver, who was engaged in the

same battle. The gun was later carried by my father M. C. Westenhaver II during the gold rush to Cripple Creek, Colorado, in 1893, where I M. C. Westenhaver III was born on Jan. 6, 1907.”

The robberies of two banks at once in Coffeyville were famous because of the spectacular shoot-out that ensued. The Dalton Gang was spotted before the robberies began, the townspeople were alerted and armed themselves to protect their savings. Bob Dalton, his brother Grattan Dalton, Bill Powers, and Dick Broadwell were killed; only badly wounded Emmett Dalton survived to serve a prison term. In addition, four citizens of Coffeyville were killed. Newspaper accounts of the period relate that numerous citizens rushed to pick up discarded weapons and other souvenirs.


Provenance:Collins Gun CompanyBob DaltonMorris C. WestenhaverMorris C. Westenhaver IIMorris C. Westenhaver IIIRobert E. Davis Collection

$25,000 – 50,000

COLT REVOLVER CARRIED BY BOB DALTON during the famous Coffeyville Raid, his gang’s failed final robbery


11. Emmett Dalton .44 Smith & Wesson. A Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver owned by Emmett Dalton

This revolver, serial number 17887, caliber .44 S&W Russian is nickel finished with factory checkered hard rubber grips. The included factory letter says that it was shipped to the large S&W distributor M.W. Robinson in New York City on October 3, 1887. The letter indi-cates that it had a nickel finish and a 6 ½ inch barrel, however the barrel is 5 inches long, is numbered to the frame, and does not appear to be altered. The bore is in good condition and the mechanism functions well. The metal retains 90% factory nickel with most of the blue on the triggerguard, hammer and trigger turning plum. The grips show a good deal of wear on the checkering but have no cracks or chips.

The Dalton brothers were notorious train robbers in the early 1890s, but met their demise on October 5, 1892 when their ambitious scheme to rob two banks at the same time was defeated in a furious shootout with the town’s citizens. This resulted in the death of his brothers, Grat and Bob, and the serious wounding of Emmett (23 slugs were removed from his body). At his trial he was sentenced to life in prison , but he received a parole in 1907 and spent the rest of his days in California.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Emmett was a patient of Dr. Tilman H. McLaughlin in Hollywood, and he gave this revolver to the doctor as payment for services rendered. This revolver passed down to his daughter and eventually to his grandson, Merrill H. Deal, Jr. A notarized statement from the grandson’s wife, Marilyn K. Deal, is included that is dated August 24, 2011. This narrates the family history of this revolver. Also included is a 1902 commencement program for Dr. McLaughlin’s graduation from medical school, a photocopy of his business card listing him as a “Physician and Surgeon,” and four photographs of him from a young man to a distinguished looking senior citizen.

Provence:Emmett DaltonDr. Tilman H. McLaughlinLucille McLaughlin DealMerrill H. Deal, Jr.Marilyn K. Deal


$25,000 – 30,000

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12. Emmett Dalton Book. Part of the last notorious outlaw gang in the Old West. When he and his brothers Robert and Gratton attempted to rob the Condon Bank in Coffeville, Kansas on October 15, 1892, only Emmett would survive, although he had been shot 20 times. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he surprisingly proved to be a model prisoner and was released in 1907. Maintaining his rehabilitation, Dalton married his child-hood sweetheart and became an ardent champion of law and order in his popular writings and lectures. Signed book: When the Daltons Rode. NY: Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1931. Hardcover, 6 x 8.5. 313 pages. Signed in fountain pen “Sincerely yours, Emmett Dalton” on a front blank page.

$1,500 – 2,000

13. Cole Younger Letter. ALS, one page, 8.25 x 11, State of Minnesota Executive Department letterhead, circa April 23, 1898. Short note to his friend Cora McNeill on the bottom of a typed letter he has received in the state prison in Stillwater, Minnesota, from Minnesota Governor David M. Clough. Clough’s letter, dated April 23, 1898, reads, in full: “I am in re-ceipt of your letter of the 20th inst., expressing your desire to fight for your country in the event of war with Spain. Your request will be given careful consideration.” At the bottom, Younger writes: “Cora you can keep this for me and rest assured if I get to go to Cuba I will win as many honors as any one of my rank or get killed on some battlefield trying.” In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, uniform toning, a few spots of foxing, and some scattered light creases.

After serving 22 years of his life sentence for the attempted robbery of the bank at Northfield, Minnesota, Cole Younger saw the 1898 sinking of the USS Maine and the impending war with Spain as a potential opportunity for his release. Three days before Madrid officially declared war on the United States, he wrote a letter to Governor Clough offering his services in the army. Despite the urging of several reputable citizens and political figures, including friend Cora McNeill and her husband, Minneapolis Judge George M. Bennett, this request was denied and Younger remained in prison until his parole in 1901. An interesting note from the American outlaw and self-proclaimed ‘Confederate avenger’ as he attempts to get out of prison and back on the battlefields.

$20,000 – 25,000

YOUNGER REQUESTS SERVICE IN THE UPCOMING SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR IN

EXCHANGE FOR HIS RELEASE FROM PRISON: “if I get to go to Cuba I will win as many honors as any one of my rank or get killed on some battlefield trying”


14. Cole Younger Signature. Old West outlaw who began his career by joining a band of Confederate marauders who rode through border states creating havoc against the Union. Younger joined the holdup gang of Frank and Jesse James in 1866 and soon convinced his own brothers to join the gang. During the next decade, the Younger and James brothers staged a string of bank robberies and train holdups through-out Missouri and the surrounding states. A bloody shootout after an attempted robbery of the First National Bank on September 7, 1876, resulted in the deaths of many of the gang’s members. When a posse caught up with the survivors two weeks later, there was another fatal shootout, and brothers Jim and Bob Younger were captured. Cole received an official pardon in 1903 and eventually reunited with Frank James in a touring Wild West show. Before his death on February 21, 1916, Younger went on the lecture circuit preaching the evils of crime. Very rare ink signature, “Cole Younger,” on an off-white 4.5 x 1.25 lightly-lined slip. A central horizontal fold passing through upper portion of part of the signature and light toning to upper portion and right edge, otherwise fine condi-tion. An extremely desirable and highly sought after signature.

$5,000 – 6,000

16. John Wes-ley Hardin Sa-loon Tab. Out-law and gunfight-er (1853–1895). One of the most feared gunmen in Texas, when Har-din went to pris-on in 1878, he claimed to have killed 42 men. His supporters sa id “Hardin never killed a man that didn’t need killing,” though Hardin himself admitted to killing a man just for snoring. Ultimately, Har-din was shot and killed in the Acme saloon while playing dice. Very rare manuscript DS signed “John W. Hardin” on a lined white 4 x 2.25 ledger sheet, dated May 3, 1895, eleven weeks to the day before he was shot down. A bar bill bearing the stamp of “The Wigwam, 106 San Antonio, M. Collins, Prop.,” stating that Hardin’s tab is $1.50; he settles this and apparently pays a slightly larger amount in advance. Archivally triple matted and framed with a full-length portrait of Hardin to an overall size of 11.75 x 17. Brushing to the tally, not affecting the signature, and a hole to the upper left corner, otherwise fine condition.

$4,000 – 6,000

SCARCE SIGNATURE OF THE NOTORIOUS SOLDIER-TURNED-OUTLAW

EXTREMELY RARE SIGNED HARDIN SALOON TAB

15. Jesse James Newspaper. Original April 4, 1882, edition of the New York Sun, 17.5 x 22, four pages, with headline over the first column reading “Jesse James Assassinated,” with a secondary headline reading “Shot Dead in his own House by a Member of his Gang.” Byline underneath reads “The Assassin claiming that he is a Detective and that he has been for a Long Time on the Outlaw’s Track—The Body Identified.” In very good condition, with uniform toning, binding holes to left edge, and chips and paper loss to the fragile edges.

$800 – 1,000

“JESSE JAMES ASSASSINATED”

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17. Frank James Letter. ALS signed “Ben,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 12, October 11, 1883. Letter to his wife Annie James, from “St. James Castle.” In full: “Your dear precious letter was received Tuesday and must say it was the most remarkable letter for you to write. Why you are becoming right affection-ate in you ‘old age’ I am so glad you are. And it seems a long time since you have seen your ‘Hubby’. Does it. I too miss my precious ones and wish I was with you. I am in good spirits and hope I may be before a great while.” He then continues with his discussions about strategy with his defense attorney (Judge John F. Philips and General C. T. Garner) Continued: “Mr. Garner was up to see me yesterday and he and me agree on this question of bail. He says I ought to be out and he is going to do all he can to get me. But as Philips is the Sr counsel they all will have to go according to his instructions. I am of the opinion he will consent to make an application for bail. My case is on the docket for Friday week which is a lucky day with us you know. The yarn came OK and Mrs. C. sends many thanks. I did not give your love to any of them I could not spare any I want it all myself and I think I need and deserve every bit of it. Don’t you? I hope you are having a nice visit in town, I want you to tell all my lady friend who have been so kind as to send me kisses that I will pay them all back with interest when I get home. That is if you do not object, you won’t will you? Miss Cora and Mary Lee called to see me yesterday evening and you just bet ‘your boots’ I enjoyed ‘it’ hugely. I said lots and thought lots I did not say. Don’t put the wrong construction on [any] thing for I don’t mean any. Well Mrs. C did smile just a little bit when met my gaze.

I did not discover it until I had read your letter the second time, I guess my little Man thinks its about time for his boots. I wish I could see him bless his dear little life, I hope you have taught him to spell real nice by this time as you promised you would do. Mamma just remember I think of you all the time and wish every day I was with you. Write me often and remember me to all my friends. Love to all and all. How did Harry come out? If I am not to get out right soon you will have to come up and see me. I cannot stand to be separated from you. I will wait and see what will be when my case is call if I do not get out then my precious Darling must come and stay with me, what say you? Ask Rob if he is going to stay with Grandma or in jail. Good by.” James also adds a short postscript to the top of the front of the letter: “Yours of yesterday recd. Many many thanks. Ohio has gone…good.” Very nicely double cloth matted and framed, so both sides may be viewed, to an overall size of 13 x 17. The frame is in turn attached by hinges to a cloth matted and framed display with a portrait of James, a descriptive plaque, and a plaque bearing a transcript of the letter, to an overall size of 19.5 x 30.25. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, and a uniform shade of toning. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed to “Mrs. Annie James” and postmarked Gallatin, MO, where James was held at the Daviess County Rotary Jail.

When his brother Jesse was traitorously murdered in response to Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden’s offer of a reward to anyone who could take down the notorious James Gang, Frank James knew that he would be next. To avoid assassination, he surrendered himself to authorities in October of 1882. He was charged with the murder of a passenger during a train robbery, spent a year in jail awaiting trial, and was quickly acquitted despite solid evidence of his guilt. This extraordinary letter, written to his wife from his jail cell and signed ‘Ben’ (the couple went by the names Ben and Fannie Woodson to avoid unwanted attention), touches on his legal proceedings, hoping to be released on bail soon, and reveals the seldom-noted fatherly side of the outlaw. With affectionate sentiments to Annie and in reference to his only son, five-year-old Robert, he writes, “I wish I could see him bless his dear little life, I hope you have taught him to spell real nice by this time as you promised you would do.” Upon his release, James returned to his family farm and left his life of crime behind. This is a remarkable letter from the infamous Western outlaw at a critical time in his life, the turning point that took him from criminal to family-man.

$7,500 – 10,000

AWAITING TRIAL AFTER TURNING HIMSELF IN, THE NOTORIOUS OUTLAW WRITES TO HIS “DEAR ‘LITTLE’ WIFE” FROM JAIL:

“He says I ought to be out and he is going to do all he can to get me”


18. Francisco ‘Pancho’ Villa. Huge collection of original telegrams affixed to pages, copied texts of telegrams, and three documents, all in Spanish, including two signed by Pancho Villa, 203 numbered pages, 8.25 x 10.5, bound in quarter-leather binding with textured burgundy boards, four raised bands with gilt titles on calf leather spine “Implementos de Agricultura Villa” and “1920-1921.”

Title page reads (translated): “Copy of the dossier relative to the purchase of implements of agriculture for Mr. Francisco Villa, by the Mexican Government, by way of the General Consulate of Mexico in El Paso, Tex. 1920-1921.” The telegrams, many to and from Luis Montes de Oca, are dated from August 28, 1920 to May 19, 1921. After serving as Consul General of Mexico in El Paso, Luis Montes de Oca served as Mexico’s Minister of Finance (1927-1932) and as Director of the Bank of Mexico (1935-1940). Bookplate of Mexican engineer Jose Ambrosi Carraro affixed inside front cover.

On May 20, 1920, Mexican Pres. Venustiano Carranza was assassinated and Adolfo de la Huerta became the interim president of Mexico. On July 28th, Villa and de la Huerta signed an agreement by which Villa accepted amnesty and became a private citizen in return for a large acre ranch in Canutillo, Durango, across the border from Chihuahua, as well as a pension and, as evidenced by this collection, supplies. Huerta was suc-ceeded by Álvaro Obregón in December. Pancho Villa was assassinated in 1923 by “obregonistas,” fearful that he was planning to come out of retirement and oppose Pres. Obregón. The telegrams include those sent and received by Montes de Oca. Recipients and senders include Pancho Villa, Presidents De la Huerta and Obregón, General-in-Chief Eugenio Martinez, and supply companies.

Archive includes:(1) DS, signed “Francisco Villa” and “L Montes de Oca” as Consul General de Mexico, one page, 8 x 10.5, February 28, 1921. Headed “Inventory of Items sent to Mr. Francisco Villa, in October 1920 and January 1921.” Signed under “Given” by Montes de Oca and “Received” by Villa. Listed with cost in dollars are: “2 Boxes with four Telephones…90.00 - 10 Tents 10 Bundles with Poles for Tents…200.00 – 1 cask Bracket.6.75 – January 5--1921 56 Rolls of wire prong…473.20 Total Dls 769.95.” A carbon copy signed in ink, with the seal of the Consul General of Mexico in El Paso, Texas, stamped in the blank left margin.

(2) DS signed “Francisco Villa,” one page, 8 x 10.5, December 20, 1920. A carbon copy signed in ink, on letterhead of the “Customs Agency of the National Railroads of Mexico, F.D. Gonzalez, Agent.” Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Headed “Inventory of the Merchandise Loaded on Boxcar No. 18192 and Delivered to Gen. Eugenio Martinez, Rosario, Durango, Whose Conductor is Mr. Noe Corona.” Signed by Corona under “Given” and by Villa under “Received as Agreed.” Delivered to Villa from Roe, Beers & Co., with the cost in dollars, are “2 Pieces Threshing Machine…$3100.00” (Order 3423 Reg. 353), from Krakauer, Zork & Co., “10 Insulated Glass Casks for Telephones…$326.00 (Order 3666 Reg. 369).” Total $3426.00. Numbered page “201” in upper right. There is also a related December 9, 1920 document, numbered page “194,” signed by Gonzalez and Corona.

Remainder of the archive is untranslated. Both documents rate in fine condition, with intersecting folds, and some mild edge spotting. The rest of the pages are evenly toned. Separation to both hinges of binding and scattered wear to covers. Accompanied by a complete original April 17, 1916, edition of the San Francisco Call, with top headline reading “Villa Dead, U.S. Wire Indicates.”

$4,000 – 6,000

HISTORIC PANCHO VILLA ARCHIVE including two pages signed by Mexico’s

infamous revolutionary leader

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19. Francisco ‘Pancho’ Villa Letter. Rare and desirable TLS, in Spanish, signed “Francisco Villa,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, March 24, 1915. Villa writes to to Enrique C. Llorente, “Confidential Agent of the Provisional Government of Mexico.” Villa vigorously defends himself and his conduct with the proprietor of the Palace Hotel res-taurant. In part (translated): “I suppose that my enemies have already had recourse to all kinds of intrigues and falsehoods…I have tried to always comply with my duty as a Mexican. The affair of the Palace Hotel in Mexico will surely be exploited by my enemies…I will give you the facts with reference to this subject. While in Mexico City one morning…to the Palace Hotel, with the intention of taking breakfast in the restaurant of that place. The proprietress of the establishment…burst into insolent jeers and loud laughter, and expressed herself in the most offensive terms against the revolution and especially against me personally. Justly indignant because of the strange attitude of the lady in question, I ordered that she immediately be removed to General Headquarters…and at the same time directed the French minister be requested to call…asking him to interrogate the lady in order that she might state whether she had any complaint against me or whether she, or any of her employees, had been the victims of any atrocity or injury on our part. The French minister was at once satisfied with

my conduct, and offered no objection should the lady be imprisoned for say two or three days for the offense committed by her. It being, however, my desire to reassure society and to counteract the work of the enemies of the people and of the revolution, I ordered her im-mediately placed at liberty, whereupon the French minister departed, expressing his satisfaction, confidence, and esteem. Such is the truth of the affair.”In very good to fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds, staple hole and creasing to top left, small stain to right edge and some light toning along left edge, and an office stamp to first page.

Less than a month later, the Conventionist forces under Pancho Villa were badly defeated by forces under the command of Álvaro Obregón, who supported the presidency of Venustiano Carranza at the Battle of Celaya. The battle was a turning point in the future of Villa, the Revolution and Mexican history in the 20th century. Villa was never able to recover his losses, and with that lost most of his political and social influence. In his 1995 reference History Comes to Life, Kenneth Rendell notes Villa’s autograph is rare and difficult to obtain in any form.

$2,000 – 3,000

THE LEGENDARY MEXICAN COMMANDER DEFENDS HIS CONDUCT WITH AN

ANTI-REVOLUTIONARY RESTAURANT PROPRIETOR just weeks before the pivotal Battle of Celaya


20. 1905 Pulp Illustration For All-Story Magazine: The Torture of Johnny Disaster. Outstanding, and incredibly rare, original color mixed media pulp illustration done in 1905 for The All Story Magazine, volume 1 #2, February 1905, (The Frank A. Munsey Co., 10¢, 192pp+, pulp) for their story, The Torture of Johnny Disaster! This is just a fantastic western illustration from the origins of THE ALL STORY MAGAZINE, the first of the Pulp magazines. This piece was done by one of the first, great American pulp artist/illustrators, Mr. FX Chamberlin.

ARTIST: FX CHAMBERLINTITLE: Cover Art for the story, THE TORTURE OF JOHNNY DISASTER within ALL STORY MAGAZINE, 1905.MEDIUM: MIXED MEDIASIZE: 16.25” x 13”, and has been framed, and double matted to an overall size of: 25.5” x 22.75”SIGNATURE: Not signed.CONDITION: Fine Condition

An explosive artwork depicting several cowboys firing rifles and revolvers. A small section in the lower right is devoted to a color swatch with three small samples and pencil notations-which is standard illustrators notes from the artist. Also, several small sketches, and studies are done by the artist on the painting’s backside. This story was written by William D. Williams for this most popular and ground-breaking pulp for the times. Debuting in January 1905, it was published monthly for 11 years, but to have an illustration this early, 1905, is amazing.

From the collection of Thomas C. Rainone$5,000 – 6,000

21. Dean Cornwell: The Last Job. DEAN CORNWELL (Ameri-can 1892 - 1960). Dean Cornwell is one of the master artists in fine American Illustration.

Painted study, ‘The Last Job’MEDIUM: Oil on illustrator’s Paper.SIZE: 8.5” x 7.5”, the painting has been framed in an attractive American hand-carved frame to an overall size of 32” x 28.5”. SIGNATURE: Signed on lower center on Mat in Pencil by the artist, “Dean Cornwell.”CONDITION: Excellent original condition.

Dean Cornwell’s life’s accolades, artist listings, museums exhibited is absolutely brilliant. Cornwell’s paintings have been exhibited in the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Chicago Art Institute and the National Academy of Design. He taught and lectured at the Art Students League in New York City and at museums and art societies throughout the United States. Dean Cornwell was a member of the American Artists Profes-sional League, The Califonia Art Club, The Century Club, New York City, The National Academy of Design, The National Arts Club, The National Society of Mural Painters, The Salmagundi Club, and The Society of Illustrators.

This painting being offered here is a superb original masterwork by

Dean Cornwell. The work depicts a cow-boy, seated in front of a pot-bellied stove, a cigarette clenched in his hand, with his gun-belt on, and a saddle in the fore-ground. A woman standing in the door-way is conversing with him dressed in a large fur coat.

An excellent study in Western Art which is a favorite theme and subject to find amongst Dean Cornwell’s works. This superb oil by Dean Cornwell is totally fresh to the marketplace with this offering being it’s first time at public auction. A letter comes with this painting guaranting the work to be an original painting by Dean Cornwell. The letter is from RAINONE GALLERIES, INC., the former owners of the DEAN CORNWELL ESTATE.

From the collection of Thomas C. Rainone.$15,000 – 18,000

ORIGINAL WESTERN SCENE BY THE ‘Dean of Illustrators’ Dean Cornwell

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22. Clyde Barrow Colt Army Special .38 Revolver. A Colt Army Special .38 Caliber revolver used by Clyde Barrow. This re-volver serial number 505844, cal. .38 Special, has been modified in the style of the Colt factory “Fitzgerald Specials” with a 2 3/8˝ barrel, bobbed hammer and a cutaway triggerguard. It is in fine condition with all of a good looking nickel plated refinish remaining and finger grooved yellow phenolic grips. The bore has a couple of spots of light corrosion that should clean.

1. An undated statement on the letterhead of “Rufus Pevehouse, Sheriff, Navarro County, Corsicana, Texas, 75110” which reads, “This nickle plated Colts 38 Special, Serial No. 505844, was found in a car driven by Clyde Barrow on May 6, 1930.” Signed “Rufus Pevehouse, Sheriff, Navarro County, Texas.”

2. A notarized affidavit to any fact, dated September 12, 1969, and signed by Rufus Pevehouse in which he sold this revolver to noted Texas gun collector Gaines de Graffenreid. He mentions the gun by serial number and states “serial number 505844, that was confiscated by me, May 6, 1930, from the car of Clyde Barrow and has been in my possession until said sale.”

3. A signed statement by Bill Gunn, Texas Ranger, on the letterhead of Fort Fisher Headquarters, Company F, Texas Rangers (the Texas Rangers Garrison Museum). He states that he was with Gaines de Graffenreid when he acquired this gun from Sheriff Pevehouse on August 26, 1969. He mentions the gun by serial number “that was once the property of Clyde Barrow,” and that “I have known about this revolver for several years and know it to be fully authentic…Sheriff Pevehouse has owned this revolver since May 6, 1930, and I think this to be a top outlaw item that once belonged to Clyde Bar-row.” This Colt was sold at auction in 2001 by Christie’s.

Note : Al though Clyde Barrow was in custody from March 18, 1930, the date mentioned by Sheriff Pevehouse was sim-ply the date that he found this revolver in an abandoned car he had previously impounded. On that date an F-4 tornado with winds of 160 miles per hour hit the little town of Frost, Texas, killing 27 people and demolishing all the public buildings except the jail. The only working vehicle for Sheriff Pevehouse to use was the one he had impounded, and this caused him to find this revolver he had previously overlooked. According to Bobby Flucker, Corsicana Historian, Clyde Barrow’s uncle Frank Barrow had called Sheriff Pevehouse several weeks earlier and said he had a stolen car in his yard and that he better come pick it up. When Pevehouse touched the car it was still very warm and he impounded it. Bobby Flucker also relates in a letter to RR Auction that at an exhibit of this gun in Texas there had been a letter from famed Texas Ranger ‘Lone Wolf’ Gonzales that stated Clyde Barrow had stolen this gun from him. Ranger Gonzales was known to use guns with the triggerguards removed and one other short barreled .38 so modified is well known.

This transfers as a modern firearm.

Provenance:Stauffer Eshleman & Co., New OrleansClyde BarrowSheriff Rufus PevehouseGaines de GraffenreidChristie’sRobert E. Davis

$30,000 – 40,000

COLT REVOLVER USED BY CLYDE BARROW with provenance back to its seizure from his car in 1930

Three documents attesting to this revolver’s provenance

accompany the gun.

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23. Bonnie and Clyde Smith and Wesson. A Smith and Wesson .44 caliber revolver taken from the Bonnie and Clyde ambush vehicle. This Second Model Hand Ejector re-volver, serial number 18110, was given by Sheriff Henderson Jordan to his friend Bertram F. Barnette, a local attorney and a senator in the Louisiana State Legislature. Included is a notarized Statement from Bertram Rowe Henry, M.D., and Herbert Wayne Henry, M.D. (The grandsons of Bertram F. Barnette) that relates that during their childhood years they were shown this Smith and Wesson revolver many times and that their mother and grandmother told them about the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde and how their bodies were put on display for the “town’s people to see.” They also state that Sheriff Henderson Jordan had called for their grandfather to come to his office immediately, where he found a “pile of weapons” and was invited to take one for a souvenir. “He chose the nickel plated Smith and Wesson .44 caliber pistol which which has remained in our family for over 75 years.” Also included is a copy of a signed letter from Bertram F. Barnette’s legal secretary at that time, Norma Duty, dated January 29,1986, in which she states, “I saw Clyde and Bonnie at the funeral home but did not see a weapon of any kind and am reasonably sure Sheriff Jordan was telling the truth when he told your father the gun belonged to and was in the possession of Bonnie and Clyde.” In photographs taken of the stockpile of weapons laid out on the Sheriff’s desk that day, there is a Smith and Wesson .44 caliber pistol clearly visible; the gun offered here is most likely that pistol.

A copy of a Smith and Wesson factory letter states that this revolver, serial number 18110, was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel and a nickel finish on January 25, 1922 to Richards-Conover Hardware Co., Kansas City, MO. As recovered from the car the revolver had a barrel that was shortened to 4 7/8 inch with the original front sight professionally installed and the factory butt swivel removed. While in the possession of the Barnette and Henry families the revolver developed several areas of rust that resulted in the Henry brothers having

the revolver professionally restored by one of the best gunsmiths in the country, David R. Chicoine of North Carolina. It now has 100% nickel remaining with a very good bore, tight action, and factory checkered walnut grips that show wear along the backstrap where they have had the checkering scraped to thin the grip. This revolver may be the one that is referenced in a July 8, 1933 United States Bureau of Investigation report that is included with the gun. This report contains the details of a June 10, 1933 incident involving Clyde Barrow, Buck Barrow and Bonnie Parker near Wellington, Texas, in which they wrecked a stolen Ford V-8 couple and injured themselves. Although injured, Clyde Barrow got the drop on the investigating police of-ficers and took “a .44 S&W Revolver” from the holster of Paul Hardy, Chief of Police for Wellington, Texas.

Provenance:Richards-Conover Hardware Co., Kansas CityBonnie and ClydeSheriff Henderson JordanBertram F. BarnetteMary Ellen Bernette HenryBertram Rowe Henry, M.D.Herbert Wayne Henry, M.D.


$75,000 – 100,000

A SMITH AND WESSON PRESENTED BY SHERIFF JORDAN

to Arcadia’s newspaper publisher on the day of the ambush

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24. Bonnie and Clyde Death Car Items. Five items originally obtained from the floor of Bonnie and Clyde’s bullet-riddled car after it was brought to Arcadia, Louisiana, along with the bod-ies of the notorious outlaws. Items are: A woman’s silk stocking stained with blood. Stocking measures approximately 30˝ long with several noticeable blood stains to the foot and leg area; an unused .45 caliber bullet and casing, stamped on the bottom of the jacket “P. C. Co 18,” standing for Peters Cartridge Company and the date of 1918; a side temple from a pair of eye glasses. Silver metallic temple measures 4˝ long, with screw and end piece; a small wood handled flathead screwdriver, measuring 4.5˝ long; and an empty Bayer Asprin tin, 1.75 x 1.25.

Items are accompanied by a notarized affidavit from a woman whose grandfather, Zell Smith, originally acquired these relics directly from the ‘death car’ after receiving per-mission to take them from Sheriff Henderson Jordan. Letter reads, in part: “My grandfather, Zell Smith, was a traveling hardware salesman who traveled that area of north Louisiana. He was also a friend of Sheriff Henderson Jordan. My grandfather was in Arcadia in 1934 on the day that the ambushed car was pulled into Arcadia. He, like many others, rushed to see the shot up car, and Sheriff Henderson let him and others that he knew ransack the car for souvenirs. My grandfather grabbed a handful of stuff off of the floor of the car, which the outlaws had been living in. He said the car was full of trash. When he got home, he saw that he had the following items:

• A small screwdriver• A Bayer aspirin tin• The side temple of a pair of wire glasses• An unspent bullet which reads P.C.C.O. and the

number 18 on the end• A blood-stained silk stocking

Evidently my grandmother was understandably upset by this grue-some assortment and made my grandfather put it away and not talk about it around her.

In 1967 I was 13 years old. The Bonnie and Clyde movie had opened in town and my sister, cousin, and I went to see it. We were thrilled by it and the fact that the outlaws end had happened in our area. When we got home from the movie, my grandfather’s story and his souvenirs resurfaced, much to my grandmother’s disgust.…My grandfather was forced to put the things away again…I talked my grandfather into sneaking out the souvenirs anytime my grandmother wasn’t around. About ten years ago, one of my aunts passed away. Her father was my grandfather. Amongst her belongings when her house was cleaned out was the little box with the Bonnie and Clyde souvenirs in it. My other aunt remembered my fascination with the whole story, and, like my grandmother, being uncomfortable with these items, sent the box to me. The artifacts were all still there and have been in my possession ever since.”

Upon its arrival in Arcadia, Bonnie and Clyde’s guarded car was swarmed by crowds anxious to see the shot-up Ford. This lot, from one of the lucky few onlookers allowed to take a souvenir, far sur-passes most in its inclusion of the bloodstained stocking. This is the only item we have seen for sale that was worn by Bonnie Parker herself: a remarkable, intimate piece taken from the floor of the outlaws’ final ride.

$1,000 – 2,000

BONNIE PARKER’S BLOODSTAINED SILK STOCKING and other personal effects removed from the ambushed

car during the excitement of its arrival in Arcadia

• A small screwdriver• A Bayer aspirin tin• The side temple of a pair of wire glasses• An unspent bullet which reads P.C.C.O. and the number 18 on the end• A blood-stained silk stocking


25. Bonnie Parker Cosmetic Case. Bonnie Parker’s personal cosmetic case, retrieved from her and Clyde Barrow’s car after their shooting on May 23, 1934. Light brown leatherette case measures 11 x 8 x 6, with a slide lock, carrying handle to hinged top, and a mirror inside of the top cover. Accompanied by a copy of a 1976 notarized letter from Frank A. Hamer, Jr., transferring the ownership of the case from himself to Raymond Brown. Letter reads, in part: “This case was in the 1934 Ford V-8 car used by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow at the time of the shooting on May 23, 1934. The case at that time contained lipstick and a box of Coty face powder and a powder puff…This case was obviously used by Bonnie Parker for personal grooming purposes. It was about the only feminine touch item in their possession.”

Provenance:Bonnie Parker Texas Ranger Frank Hamer Special Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, Jr. Raymond Brown Collection Tom Keilman Auctioneers, 1986Robert E. Davis

Also includes a Loan Agreement to the Dallas Historical Associa-tion for the item’s showing in the renowned 2001 Bonnie & Clyde

Exhibition held at the Hall of State in Dallas, Texas.

Despite the fact that her home was a get-away car, Bonnie Parker never let her appearance slide. Al-ways photographed in perfect style, her final day was no different; she was killed wearing a fashionable red dress and red shoes, with freshly done hair, nails, and make-up. With no stable home, no bathroom, no place for nonessentials, all she had to maintain an image on the run was a suitcase and this cosmetic case. This is a wonderfully personal effect, one of the only creature comforts in the otherwise rough and violent life of a young fugitive.

$5,000 – 10,000

Keeping up a life of style, not just a life of crime:

BONNIE PARKER’S PERSONAL COSMETIC CASE

“the only feminine touch item in their possession” at the

time of the ambush

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26. Clyde Barrow Death Car Coin. A 1921 Morgan silver dollar recovered by posse member Ted Hinton, removed from Clyde Barrow’s dark blue blazer which was in the car, shortly after the ambush which ended Barrow’s and Bonnie Parker’s lives in 1934.

Accompanied by a letter from Hinton’s son, Linton J. ‘Boots’ Hinton stating “Among the many things that he retrieved from the car was Barrow’s jacket…In the pocket of the jacket were two silver dollar coins, both of which were retained by my father. I was aware that my father had a 1921 Morgan silver dollar which he kept in his “coin box”. I was not aware that he had two until the day he took them about to tell me the story of how he got them. The coins were kept locked in a his “coin box” until it was sold by him in 1946…Nothing has ever been mentioned, written, or published about Clyde’s jacket being in the car right after the melee that morning. Only Ted and the other five posse members were aware of the jacket…I was later made aware of the jacket.”

Also accompanied by a letter of provenance from Michael Kozlin-

detailing the sale of the coin from Ted Hinton to a Dallas antique dealer in 1946. This antique dealer later crossed reputed mobster Paulie Castellano over an outstanding debt, and relinquished the coin (and his other valuables) to settle the debt, and explained the background of the coin to Castellano. In 1966, the letter writer’s grandfather, Armand Castellano, convicted bank robbery get-away car driver in 1930 (and Paulie’s cousin) was given the coin by Paulie as a razz. The coin was passed on from Armand to Kozlin in 1986, who then contacted Hinton who confirmed the details of the origin of the coin from Barrow’s jacket pocket.

Provenance:Clyde BarrowTed HintonM. RossPaul Castellano Armand J. Castellano Michael Kozlin

$10,000 – 15,000

Images larger than actual size.

SILVER DOLLAR RECOVERED FROM BARROW’S JACKET IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AMBUSH, which later passed through the Gambino family

27. Clyde Barrow Pocket Watch. Clyde Barrow’s pocket watch recovered from his body on the morning of May 23, 1934, after being mortally wounded by Captain Frank Hamer and other peace officers. Elgin National Watch Company, 17 jewel 3/4 plate, 16 size open-face 10K gold-filled pocket watch, in original Wadsworth screwed-back and bezel case, movement serial #28683536, case serial #6476773, stem winding and setting, with railroad style impressed double-sunk dial, bold Arabic numerals and bold blued-steel hands. The watch is accompanied by a copy of a 1997 notarized letter from Marie Bar-row, Clyde Barrow’s sister, which reads, in part: “The Elgin Pocket Watch…belonged to my brother Clyde Barrow and was being worn by him on the morning of May 23, 1934, when he and Bonnie Parker were killed by Captain Frank Hamer and the other Peace Officers under his command. On hearing of the death of my brother, my father, Henry Barrow, went to Arcadia, Louisiana, to accompany the body of his son back to Dallas. Among Clyde’s personal effects given to my father was the watch described above. In memory of his son, he wore this watch until his death on June 19, 1957.”

Condition report: In good running order, the movement condition fine overall, the dial with various hairline fractures that have darkened with age. Such fractures can be the result of natural stresses in the porcelain that finally resolve themselves into cracks, from impact or compression stress on the dial during its lifetime, or a combina-tion of both factors. The watch currently has no crystal, but some watchmakers will have available stocks of old beveled glass crys-tals with mild curvature that the watch would have had originally. The hands are in fine blue with some light oxide and rubbing. The case has a few light soft dents to the case-back in particular, not an uncommon feature to watches that have been used over the years,

but suggesting occasional rough handling or environment. The in-side case-back has a few tiny scratched numerals or codes that are watchmaker‘s repair marks for servicing, any of which could have been undertaken before or after Barrow’s death. The crown, bow and pendant are rather worn from winding and setting, but the case body is still quite fresh and without brassing, indicating some care in handling. Gold filled cases, unlike plated cases, are constructed from gold sheet fused to brass sheet and then extruded, resulting in usually one tenth of the weight of the case being solid 10 karat gold. Detail pictures were shot outside in natural daylight, and show some tree and sky reflection. The coloring of all plates, components and case are normal.

While the majority of their possessions were claimed by Hamer or stolen by the aggressive crowd that swarmed the car upon its ar-rival in Arcadia, a few personal effects did make it into the hands of Bonnie’s and Clyde’s families. Along with his bloody coat, shot full of holes, this 1925 Elgin pocket-watch was returned to Clyde’s father, Henry Barrow. As Marie Barrow’s letter states, Henry wore this watch until his death in 1957 as a reminder of his lost son. By far the finest and most personal of the Clyde Barrow items retrieved on that fateful day.

Provenance:Clyde Barrow Henry Barrow Marie Barrow Butterfield’s 1997

$20,000 – 30,000


The finest of the few personal effects given to Henry Barrow upon retrieving his son’s body:

WATCH FROM CLYDE’S POCKET THE DAY OF THE AMBUSH

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31. Clyde Barrow Mug Shot. Vintage 1930s 7 x 5 gelatin silver mug shot photograph of Clyde Barrow. Shots show Bar-row head-on and in profile, and both are labeled Waco No. 414 in the photo. The images are clear and detailed. A typed caption is affixed to the bottom of the image. In very good condition, with a tack hole to each corner, scattered surface marks and creases, and light silvering to darker areas. This mug shot would be used in Barrow’s Joplin, Missouri, wanted poster.

$200 – 300

28. 1933 Texas License Plate. Original 1933 Texas license plate, 13 x 5, number 947–590. Great period association with Bonnie and Clyde as many stolen license plates from various states were found in their car after they were killed in an ambush on May 23, 1934. In good condition, with light overall rusting and scattered light surface chips and pitting. With just a screwdriver, Bonnie and Clyde could instantly be from Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or several other states. Provenance: Robert E. Davis Collection.

$400 – 600

29. Clyde Bar-row Photo . Circa 1950s 7 x 9 United Press International gel-atin silver photo-graph showing Clyde Barrow posing in 1933 in front of his beloved V8 Ford, with a rifle and two shotguns leaning against the front, two re-volvers tucked into the grill and one hanging from the hood ornament. Shot in 1933 and printed some time later. The back has a UPI stamp and UPI’s standard handwritten cataloging notes. A few edge and corner creases and an area of discoloration in the image, otherwise fine condition. The image is sharp and clear.

$200 – 300

30. Clyde Barrow Photo. Original vintage 1933 7 x 9 inches news photo from the San Francisco Examiner’s archives, showing a famous image of Clyde Barrow posing in front of his beloved V8 Ford, with a rifle and two shotguns leaning against the front, two revolvers tucked into the grill and one hanging from the hood ornament. The back includes the original news service stamp and paper caption, and the Examiner’s stamp with 1933 date. A few edge and corner creases and light discoloration to center of image, otherwise fine condition. A classic photograph and one of the better known images of Clyde.

$400 – 600

HIGHLY DESIRABLE ORIGINAL SAN FRANCISCO PRESS PHOTO

OF CLYDE AND HIS ARSENAL

BONNIE AND CLYDE-ERA 1933 TEXAS LICENSE PLATE


32. Clyde Barrow and W. D. Jones Photo. Vintage circa 1940 gelatin silver photograph showing Clyde Barrow and W. D. Jones on the run, the photo once owned by the John Dillinger Historical Society of Fort Collins Colorado. Shot in 1933 and printed several years later. The sepia image shows Barrow and Jones on the side of a road, their car in the background. The back has the John Dilllinger Historical Society property stamp and a 1940 copyright stamp from Allen Entz Klassen. In good condition, with missing lower left corner, several tears, scattered noticeable creases, as well as some soiling and toning.

$200 – 300

33. Clyde Barrow and W. D. Jones Photos. Three mod-ern later generation snapshot-size photos of Clyde Barrow and W. D. Jones originat-ing from the personal collection of posse member Ted Hinton. The first photo mea-sures 3.5 x 5.25 and shows Clyde sitting on the fender of his car, a shotgun and rifle on his lap, and

another shotgun on the fender; second photo measures 5.25 x 3.5 and shows Jones leaning on their car along the side of the road; and the third photo measures 3.25 x 5 and shows Barrow and Jones posing together in front of their car. Each photo is hand initialed in the border by Hinton “TH” and has a pasted on label. Accompany-ing the photos is a 1988 letter of provenance from Clay Garrison of Dallas which states, “The pictures of Bonnie and Clyde that are marked TH were given to me by Ted Hinton a few years before his death. They were copied from his personal collection. He branded them and promiced [sic] severe bodily harm if he ever saw them in the possession of another person.” In fine condition.

$200 – 300

34. Bonnie and Clyde Photos. Two unsigned glossy photos, both approximately 4 x 6, one of Clyde sitting on the bumper of his car, a rifle and shotgun on his lap and another leaning against the grill; and a full-length image of Bonnie posing in front of the car. Some scattered light surface marks and light silvering, otherwise fine condition.

$200 – 300

35. Blanche and Buck Barrow Photos. Five unsigned glossy and satin-finish photos, three 10 x 8 and two 3.5 x 5. Smaller photos show Blanche in her kitchen and dated 1953 in another hand and Buck Barrow sitting in a boat. Larger photos are reprints of Buck and Blanche’s mugshots, and a composite image of the capture of the couple. In fine condition, with ink notations to both smaller photos.

$200 – 300

36. Bonnie and Clyde Photos. Col-lection of 18 unsigned reproduction photos, ranging in size from 5 x 4 up to 10 x 8, depicting Bonnie and Clyde both in life and death, includ-ing photos of the couple

together and separate, photos of both after their death, several photos of their bullet-riddled car, an aerial shot of the road where they were ambushed, a photo of the car and Clyde’s shredded jacket, and a couple other contemporary promotional photos. In fine condition.

$200 – 400

PHOTOS FROM TED HINTON’S COLLECTION WITH A THREAT OF BODILY HARM IF SOLD

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37. Bonnie Parker Colt Detective Special .38 revolver. Bonnie Parker’s Colt Detective Special .38 revolver, carried by her at the time of her death. A notarized letter from former Special Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, Jr., dated December 10, 1979, identifies this gun and states, “On the morning of May 23, 1934, when my father and the officers with him in Louisiana killed Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. My father removed this gun from the inside thigh of Bonnie Parker where she had it taped with white, medical, adhesive tape. My father said that one reason she had the gun taped to the inside of her leg was that, in those days, no gentlemen officer would search a woman where she had it taped…Sometime later, my father gave this gun to Buster Davis who had been a Texas Ranger and was, at the time, an FBI Agent.” Included with this gun and mentioned in this letter is a framed handwritten note from Frank Hamer, written on the back of an old Texas Ranger Expense Account form, reads “Aug/1934 Davis hold onto this. Bonnie was ‘squatting’ on it. Frank.”

The Colt Detective Special is blued with a 2˝ barrel having a 1926 patent date. It is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge and has the round butt checkered walnut grips that were introduced in 1933. The revolver is in fine mechanical condition with about 70% original blue blending with plum patina. All factory markings are in excellent condition. The grips show moderate wear and rate good condition.

This is a well-known gun in Texas as it was displayed in several major museums (including the LBJ Library in Austin) for a two-year exhibition in the early 1980s. There can be no other gun with a closer association to Bonnie Parker than the one taped to her body at her death.

Many of the guns carried by Bonnie and Clyde ended up in the estate of Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer, who led the six-man posse that performed the ambush on May 23, 1934. As an unexpected bonus for his service, Hamer was promised that he could take anything the outlaws had in their possession at the time of their capture. This .38 Special, concealed beneath Bonnie’s red dress that morning—the same way she concealed the gun that enabled Clyde to bust out of

prison in 1930—was one that he kept. As early as October 1934, Emma Parker wrote to Hamer in an attempt to get her daughter’s guns back; despite threats of legal action, she was denied.In 1978, Bonnie Parker’s gun was sold to Raymond Brown, owner of the County Store Gallery in Austin, Texas. It was later displayed at the Institute of Texan Cultures in 1981 as part of the exhibit “Texas Women: A Celebra-tion of History.” In 1986, the famous gun was sold by Texas auctioneer Tom Keilman to the current owner, who later displayed it at the renowned 2001 Bonnie & Clyde Exhibition held at the Hall of State in Dallas, Texas. The guns confiscated by Hamer were col-lectibles from the moment they were seized eighty years ago and have continued to gain value over the past eight decades. This particular gun, Bonnie’s personal Colt revolver, so closely related to her, is justifiably one of the most desirable.


Provenance: Bonnie Parker Texas Ranger Frank Hamer Buster DavisSpecial Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, Jr. Raymond Brown Collection Tom Keilman Auctioneers, 1986Robert E. Davis

$150,000 – 200,000

TAPED TO HER INNER THIGH AT THE TIME OF HER DEATH,

this .38 Colt revolver was removed by Texas Ranger Frank Hamer

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38. Clyde Barrow 1911 Army Colt .45 Pistol. Clyde Barrow’s Colt Model 1911 Government Model Semi-auto pistol, removed from his waistband after the ambush by Texas and Louisiana lawmen on May 23, 1934. This is a standard US Army pistol of World War I vintage, #164070, cal. .45 ACP, and according to the included Colt factory letter was delivered to Springfield Armory on June 28, 1917. The frame marked with inspector Gilbert H. Stewart’s circular stamp and the forward left side of the frame has light scratches where the “U.S. Property” marking was removed. The barrel has a good bore and is inscribed with an intertwined “HP” proofmark. The metal is not pitted and has an attractive gray/brown patina with a good deal of original bright factory blue on the left side of the frame and on the small parts. All of the factory markings are in excellent condition and the ‘double diamond’ walnut grips show moderate wear.

With the Colt is a notarized letter from former Special Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, Jr., dated December 18, 1973 in which he states that this pistol, #164070, was removed from the “waistband of Clyde Barrow’s trousers the morning that he and Bonnie Parker were killed by my father in Louisiana.” He goes on to say “This pistol is also described and pictured in my father’s book I’m Frank Hamer.” He also states that “this pistol was believed to have been stolen from the federal arsenal in Beaumont, Texas,” and that the federal government gave this Colt to his father.

‘Seldom did anyone ever live when Clyde got the first shot,’ warned a newsreel of the day. But on this day, Clyde didn’t have the chance to reach for his gun, let alone shoot it. If he did, this would have been the gun that he grabbed: tucked into his waistband for easy access, this 1911 Colt .45 was inches away from the trigger-finger that killed at least a half dozen men during the two-year spree that led to his final day. Of all the guns found in their death car, this is the most closely related to Clyde Barrow and accordingly, the most fascinating and valuable.


Provenance:U.S. Armory at SpringfieldNational Guard Armory at Beaumont, TexasClyde Barrow Texas Ranger Frank Hamer Special Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, Jr. The Raymond Brown Collection Tom Keilman Auctioneers, 1986Robert E. Davis

$150,000 – 200,000

THE GUN THAT CLYDE KEPT CLOSEST TO HIS GRASP:

a 1911 Colt .45, removed from his waistband at the time of his death

and kept by Frank Hamer

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39. Frank Hamer Archive. A unique and interesting archive consisting of let-ters, a few documents, telegrams, news clippings, unsigned photos, and other items, many relating to the storied career of noted Texas Ranger Frank Hamer. One of the most interesting items is a carbon of a September 16, 1950 letter from Hamer to President Harry S. Truman. Hamer had two sons who served in the Marines in World War II. In part: “I have waited for sometime before answering your dirty insult to the Marines and their parents in order that I might be in a better humor and not use any disparaging remarks than possible…My youngest son died in Iwo Jima; my other boy wounded and crippled for life. I could use every insulting remark in the American category and it would no more compare with your dastardly insults than an ant hill would compare in size to the Rocky Mountains. Of course we could expect nothing else coming from a protege of the biggest gang of mobsters that ever operated in the United States…I thank God that I have never supported you or Franklin D. Roosevelt because of the fact I have felt we would be eventually led to slaughter…Being religiously inclined I want to add the following line: May God Have Mercy on Your Soul.”

Other items of note include a telegram to President Franklin D. Roosevelt shortly after the USS Panay incident that “The recent act of the Japs in the sinking out our gunboats and the assaulting of American citizens has reduced the significance of the American flag to a mere dishrag.”; a May 23 Western Union telegram to Hamer from the Associated Press asking for an “account Barrow Parker slaying”; a Warrant of Authority and Descriptive List for his nine year old son Billie, signed at the bottom by Hamer; his commissions for the Highway Patrol and Special Ranger; two letters in regards to Hamer’s attempts at putting a halt to the Texas Banker’s Association’s ‘murder-for-reward’ ring in which the association was offering rewards of up to $5000 for dead bank robbers; letters of recommendation for Hamer as well as requests for his life story; and various sized unsigned vintage photos of Hamer and other Texas Rangers.

Also included are a sworn and notarized affidavit from John B. Sawyer, who had stolen Hamer’s name and proceeded to cash checks in his name across the United States. Affidavit states “I did not even know Captain Frank Hamer and used his name for the reason that I knew he was a well known, highly respected and honorable official of the State of Texas and that was my reason for using his name in cashing checks throughout the United States.” Along with the affidavit are two original photos of Hamer posing with Sawyer; mugshots of various criminals; a notarized document between Raymond Brown and Hamer’s wife and son for a biography of Hamer; several typed poems at-tributed to Hamer; other paperwork relating to his biography; and a large scrapbook containing many clipped articles about Hamer and the Texas Rangers. In overall very good condition.

$1,000 – 2,000

HAMER ARCHIVE INCLUDING A MAY 23 WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM TO HAMER FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS asking for an “account Barrow Parker slaying”


41. Bonnie and Clyde: Frank Hamer a n d P o s s e Photos. Five unsigned satin-finish photos, 8 x 10 and 10 x 8, two depicting Frank Hamer and his posse that tracked down Bonnie and Clyde. Pictured

are: Ted Hinton, Prentiss Oakley, B.M. ‘Maney’ Gault, Bob Alcorn, Henderson Jordan, and Frank Hamer; two identical photos of posse members posing with some of the items taken from Bonnie and Clyde’s car; and one photo of the guns and ammunition taken from the car. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

40. Frank Hamer Check. Texas Ranger Captain (1884–1955) best known for tracking down the legend-ary crime duo Bonnie and Clyde. Rare personal check, 7.25 x 3, filled out in another hand and signed by Hamer, payable to N. F. Stallworth for $52.40, February 28, 1950. Two vertical folds, one through a single letter of signature, and expected stamps and holes, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned photo of Hamer with the rest of his posse.

$200 – 400

43. Gangster Wanted Posters. Five original Wanted posters, all approximately 8 x 8, all issued by the US Depart-ment of Justice: two for Bonnie and Clyde, one for Raymond Hamilton, one for Floyd Hamilton, and one for John Dillinger. In very good condition, with a central horizontal fold to each, moderate toning to Dillinger poster, and dampstaining to one Bonnie and Clyde poster.

$400 – 600

42. Bonnie and Clyde Wanted Posters. Seven original iden-tical wanted posters issued for Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, issued on May 21, 1934, by the Department of Justice for a viola-tion of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. Posters measure 8 x 8, feature individual images of both Parker and Barrow, as well as their physical descriptions, relatives, and criminal records. In very good to fine overall condition, with central horizontal folds and scattered toning and soiling.

$400 – 600

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46. Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Road Photo. Vintage original 5.25 x 3 gelatin silver snapshot of the road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, where Bonnie and Clyde met their deaths on May 23, 1934. The photo shows three spots where law enforcement officers hid and an arrow pointing the trajectory of their car. Pencil notation in an unknown hand on the reverse reads, “Road where Bonnie and Clyde were killed.” The first generation sepia image is crystal clear and detailed. In very good condition, with several noticeable diagonal creases.

$200 – 300

45. Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Road Photos. Four unsigned glossy photos of the road Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed on, all 5 x 4, one showing an aerial view of the road, one showing two police officers posing on the road, one of a group of men posing alongside the road in the ambush area; and one of a close-up of the ambush area. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

44. Henry Methvin Photos. Bank robber (1912–1948) who was the final member of Bonnie and Clyde’s gang and whose father, Ivan Methvin, helped arrange their deaths at the hands of Frank Hamer. Two original candid 3 x 4 photos of Methvin, one of him standing alongside a dirt road and one of him seated on a short wall. In very good condition, with scattered creases and rippling, some crazing to emulsion, and some light silvering to darker areas. These family owned photos passed from Clyde’s sister, Marie Barrow, to her son who put them up for auction after her passing in 1999.

$200 – 400

THE CONTROVERSIAL FINAL BARROW GANG MEMBER


47. Clyde Barrow Pearl Handle Gun. A Colt Model 1908 Pocket Model Semi Auto Pistol taken from the Bonnie and Clyde ambush car by Louisiana Deputy Sheriff Ted Hinton.

This is a type II Colt Model 1908, serial number 81958, cal. .380 A.C.P. with a 3 ¾” barrel, factory nickel finish and non-factory mother-of-pearl grips. This Colt was made in 1924 and retains about 98% nickel finish with many hairline scratches and excellent factory markings. The mother-of-pearl grips show great color with a large chip missing on the right side at the screw escutcheon. The original factory magazine is nickel finished and is properly marked “CAL.380/COLT.” The mechanism functions well and the barrel has a very good bore. According to the included copy of a Colt factory letter stating this gun was shipped to Wolf and Klar of Fort Worth, Texas, on November 5, 1924.

This Colt comes to us from the daughter of Leslie Clyde Mallon, a professional baseball player for the Texas League Dallas Steers, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Boston Braves in the early 1930s. One of his acquaintances through his baseball career was Dallas

County Deputy Sheriff Ted Hinton, an avid baseball player himself who passed up an opportunity to play for the Cleveland Indians. The youngest member of the posse that killed the outlaws, Hinton was given the assignment because he could easily identify both Clyde and Bonnie, a woman he admired. In discussion with Ted’s son, ‘Boots’ Hinton, the proprietor of the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibsland, Louisiana, he confirmed that his father took a Colt. 32 automatic for himself (which has subsequently been stolen) and gave Mallon this .380 Colt as a gift.


Provenance:Wolf and Klar, Fort Worth, TexasClyde Barrow and Bonnie ParkerDallas County Deputy Sheriff Ted HintonLeslie Clyde MallonLeslie Mallon Savitz

$30,000 – 50,000

PISTOL TAKEN FROM BONNIE AND CLYDE’S CAR by posse member Ted Hinton

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48. Clyde Barrow 1909 Colt .45 Revolver. A Colt New Service Model 1909 Double-Action revolver found in the bullet-riddled car driven by Bonnie and Clyde on the day they died. This revolver comes with a Colt Factory letter indi-cating it was shipped on August 12, 1911, to the US Ordnance Department in Manila, Philippine Islands. It is marked on the butt with “U.S./ Army/Model/1909/No. 148/261” and is a .45 Colt caliber gun with a 5.5˝ barrel. The frame is marked with a monogramed circular government inspector’s cartouche plus the government inspector’s initials “R.A.C.” (Rinaldo A. Carr). The revolver is in very good mechanical condition with the metal having an overall gray patina with traces of blue and most of the factory markings are very good. The smooth walnut grips are in good condition and bear an “R.A.C.” inspection stamp on the butt.

Included with the gun is a picture of A. B. Rog-ers, Sr., a Deputy Sheriff in and for the Parish of Bienville, Louisiana, who was on duty in the court house at the time of Bonnie and Clyde’s deaths. He is displaying some of the ammunition and guns found in their car. Among the items are this revolver, three Colt 1911 pistols, two BARs, one cut down Remington Model 11 semi-auto shotgun, and numerous BAR and pistol magazines with extra ammunition. A letter from his daughter-in-law dated February 28, 2002, states that A. B.

Rogers, Sr., was given this 1909 Colt at the time of the photograph. Also included is a notarized letter dated January 24, 1983, from Mrs. P. M. Oakley (the widow of Bienville Parish Deputy Sheriff Prentiss Oakley who fired the first shots in the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde). In this letter she states that her husband was on duty at the time of Bonnie and Clyde’s deaths and “that among the effects found on the body of Clyde Barrow was a: Colt 45 Revolver/U. S. Army Model 1909/ Gun Number 148 261. That said gun is now in the possession of A. B. Rogers, Jr., a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.” Note that Mrs. Oakley’s 50-year-old recollection that this revolver was on Clyde’s body cannot be substantiated at this time, but it is readily visible among the weapons taken from the “death car.”


Provenance:U.S. Ordnance Depot in Manila, P. I.Bonnie and ClydeDeputy Sheriff A. B. Rogers, Sr.A. B. Rogers, Jr.Robert E. Davis

$30,000 – 40,000

Deputy Sheriff Oakley’s widow identifies this Colt revolver,

CONFISCATED BY HER HUSBAND FROM THE

SCENE OF THE AMBUSH

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49. Ted Hinton Deputy US Marshal Badge. Dallas County Deputy Sheriff (1904–1977), the youngest (and last surviving member) of the posse that ambushed and killed Bonnie and Clyde. Ted Hinton’s Deputy US Marshal commission and badge. Partly-printed commission (in two 4.5 x 3 sections affixed inside its original 4.75 x 6.5 holder) reads, in part: “Know ye, That, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, ability, and diligence of Ted C. Hinton, I hereby appoint and commission him Office Deputy United States Marshal in and for the Northern District of Texas and do authorize ad empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of that office according to law and to have and to hold the said office, with all powers, privileges, and emolu-ments to the same.” Commission is signed at the conclusion by US Marshal J. W. Wright. Hinton’s US Marshal badge, #228, made by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, measuring approximately 1.5 x 2.5. In overall fine condition, with expected age wear. Years before the ambush, a young Hinton would often visit Marco’s Cafe where a young Bonnie Parker was a waitress. Hinton admitted in a later biography that he had a crush on Bonnie, which made it difficult for him as one of the men on the team sent to kill her and her lover, Clyde.

$1,000 – 2,000

US Marshal badge and commission FROM BONNIE AND CLYDE POSSE MEMBER TED HINTON


50. Raymond Hamilton .22 Colt Rifle. A Colt Lightning Slide Action Rifle used by Raymond Hamilton, who was part of the Clyde Barrow/Bonnie Parker Gang in 1934.This is the small frame Light-ning in .22 rimfire caliber, #56944, made in 1901. The rifle has a 24˝ octagonal barrel and is missing the buttstock and slide handle. Most of the metal has a dark patina and some fire scale with scattered light pitting, the factory markings are legible. The rifle is wired in an attractive wood shadowbox frame with a photocopy of a wanted poster for Raymond Hamilton put out by the Sheriff of Dallas, Texas. Also in the frame is a copy of a US Department of Justice wanted poster for Bonnie and Clyde, issued by J. Edgar Hoover and dated May 21, 1934 (just two days before their deaths). At the center of the shadowbox is a neatly hand-lettered placard which summarizes the information in an included notarized affidavit dated September 30, 2003. The affidavit states “My name is John Curington. I am 73 years of age and practice as an Attorney at Law. I reside in Big Sandy, Upshur County, Texas…My father’s name was Delbert Z. Curington. I am the owner of a .22 caliber Colt rifle which was given to my father by Bill Decker, Sheriff for Dallas County, Texas. The gun belonged to Raymond Hamilton, a well renowned criminal who was one of the Barrow Gang in the early 1930s…Sheriff Decker and my father were close friends and he told my father that the rifle was used by Raymond Hamilton during an armed bank robbery in Texas. Sheriff Decker reported that the rifle had been seized during a shoot out between Hamilton, Barrow, and Parker and the authorities. Decker told my father that Bonnie Parker tried to burn the rifle by setting an outhouse on fire with the rifle in it.”

On January 16, 1934, Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker, and a young associate named Jimmy Mullins helped Raymond Hamilton and three other prisoners escape from the Easton Prison Farm. During the escape a prison guard by the name of Major Crowson was fatally wounded, which incensed Texas Department of Corrections Chief Lee Simmons so much that it led him to hire retired Texas Ranger Frank Hamer to hunt down Bonnie and Clyde. Raymond Hamilton was known to have robbed the R. P. Henry Bank in Lancaster, Texas on February 27, 1934, but it is not believed that Bonnie Parker was present. On March 6, 1934, Hamilton left the Barrow Gang and carried out two more bank robberies in Texas before the month was out. On April 5, 1935, Hamilton was captured in Fort Worth. On May 10, 1935, Raymond Hamiton was executed in the electric chair (‘Old Sparky’) at Huntsville’s death row for his part in the murder of Major Crowson during the January 16, 1934, prison escape.


Provenance:Raymond HamiltonSheriff Bill DeckerDelbert Z. CuringtonJohn Curington Robert E. Davis

$5,000 – 10,000

HAMILTON’S COLT RIFLE, seized during a shoot-out between

the Barrow Gang and Texas authorities

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51. Sheriff Decker Gun. A Colt Model 1917 Army Revolver belonging to famed Dallas County Sheriff Bill Decker. This World War One military revolver, Colt serial number 164262, Army serial number 16,830, cal. 45 A.C.P. has had its barrel professional shortened to 4 inches and the front sight remounted. The butt swivel has been removed and the hole plugged. The metal retains most of a good looking reblue with plum patina on the backstrap, the Colt pony is light on the sideplate, otherwise all factory and military markings are in fine condition. The mother-of-pearl grips have beautiful color and are in fine condition. The mechanism functions well and the bore is in very good condition.

A notarized statement from Deputy McCurly’s son dated October 1, 1976 that is included states that this revolver was owned and car-ried by Dallas County Sheriff Bill Decker. After his death, his wife gave the gun to Deputy Sheriff A.D. McCurly, who later gave it to his son Johnny Ray McCurly, a Detective in the Carrollton Police Department in Dallas County, Texas. This Colt was later transferred to Billy Ray Smelson.

James Eric (Bill) Decker was a legendary Texas lawman who in 1933 became the Chief Deputy to Dallas County Sheriff Richard A. Schmid. He served in this position through 1946, and then was elected to Dallas County Sheriff in 1948, a position he held until 1970. He was involved in the pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde and was instrumental in setting up their ambush. In 1935 he captured Raymond Hamilton, a former member of the Barrow gang who Clyde broke out of jail in 1934. This escape and the killing of a prison guard enraged the Texas Prison Commissioner, and was the reason Frank Hamer was hired to hunt down Bonnie and Clyde. On November 22, 1963, Sheriff Decker was in the lead car in the J.F.K. Presidential motorcade when shots rang out in Dallas. While his car led the way to Parkland Hospital,

Sheriff Decker issued orders that all available men in his office were to move to the railroad yard. He held Lee Harvey Oswald in his jail and was unfortunately in charge when Jack Ruby assassinated him. In addition to the notarized statement from J. R. McCurly, there is a 16-page biography of Sheriff Decker, numerous pho-tocopies of newspaper stories, several photocopies of Bonnie and Clyde after the ambush, and several photocopies of Ray Hamilton and his brother Floyd Hamilton, who at different times were named “Public Enemy Number One” by the FBI.


Provenance:U.S. ArmySheriff Bill DeckerMrs. Bill DeckerDallas County Deputy Sheriff A.D. McCurlyDetective Johnny Ray McCurly of the Carrollton, Texas Police DepartmentBilly Ray Smelson

$5,000 – 7,000

REVOLVER OF ILLUSTRIOUS TEXAS LAWMAN JAMES DECKER, captor of Raymond Hamilton


52. Bonnie and Clyde Bullets and Photo Ar-chive. Bullets test-fired from the guns of Bonnie and Clyde and crime scene and autopsy photos. In late 2002 the producers of History’s Detectives were contacted by a woman named Cassandra Goss, who claimed to be in the possession of five bullets associated with Bonnie and Clyde. She stated that the bullets had been in her family for two generations and originated from her great grandfather-in-law, J. D. Goss.

Goss was a Dallas ballistics expert who was called in to assist George Lacy (the same George Lacy whose name was printed on seven of the photos) in an analysis of test bullets fired from the guns found in Bonnie and Clyde’s car after their deaths. That information was crucial to another case taking place in Fort Worth regarding the killing of two State Highway patrolmen on April 1, 1934, approximately seven weeks prior to the death of Bonnie and Clyde. Ironically the chief suspect in those killings was Bonnie’s sister, Billie Mace. Goss was brought in to establish whether or not those test bullets fired from the guns in Bonnie and Clyde’s car matched up with bullets found at the scene of the crime. Five .45 shell casings were found at the April 1st crime scene, and Bonnie and Clyde’s car was found to have seven Colt .45s among their vast arsenal. On May 31st George Lacy announced that the test bullets matched the bullets found at the crime scene and Billie Mace was released.

Based upon all these facts, it was the conclusion of the show’s panel that the evidence strongly suggested that the two .45 caliber bullets were from the group of test bullets fired from Bonnie’s and Clyde’s guns—bullets that eventually exonerated Bonnie’s sister, Billie Mace.

Included in this lot are one of those .45 caliber bullets, and three .38 caliber bullets (these bullets have solid and credible oral history as-sociating them to Bonnie and Clyde as shown on the TV show). Also included are all 27 of the first generation photographs that originally accompanied the bullets. Aside from having one of the actual guns used by Bonnie and Clyde, this bullet, fired from one of the guns found in their car at the time of their death, represents a direct collectible link relating to the legendary outlaw duo. Nearly equal in significance are the photographs themselves. First generation photographs of Bonnie and Clyde are extremely desirable. Ten of the images picture Bonnie and/or Clyde, including five graphic death shots, three of Bonnie and two of Clyde. The others include members of their gang as well as shots of their bullet-riddled car. Related papers provided by the show’s producers, documenting their findings are also included.

$15,000 – 20,000

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53. Bonnie and Clyde Freak Show Banner. An amazing, and all together totally unique, item in the world of serious Gangster collectibles, an original and authentic early 1930s traveling side-show banner exploiting the antics of criminals, Bonnie and Clyde, and perhaps the onlyone of it’s type still in existence upon the face of the planet.

This banner measures 12’ x 9’, and is a side show banner dated to the early 1930s, or before simply from how the banner is hung. From these dates, side show banners were traditionally hung from having a straight board sewn in at the banners top side to simply hang the banner when arriving to the next location. This is banner is clearly fabricated like this, along with the leather attachment loops, and hardware matching a banner from this time. Soon after freak show banners started attaching corner leather loops which is how they were made until now. The banner was made in the early 1930s. The banners of this type are hand-painted works upon canvas. This banner was manufactured in Kansas, Mo. and illustrated by an artist, “Gene.” The work is signed by Gene in his monogram. Emblazoned on the banner in large print is “Crime Wave…Boy & Girl Gangsters. See Inside. The Wages Of Crime Is Death.”

This banner was originally found by noted freak show banner expert, Bruce Webb. He found the banner in Kansas City, Missouri, nearly two decades ago inside a barn. He professionally unwrapped the piece, and produced what you see now. The banner has never been restored, nor requires a restoration as the rotted left side, and few holes within the piece remain as a natural testament for what it is! Webb did ‘treat’ the banner to prevent any further damage resulting from insects, or the like, and has made the canvas stable.

It is believed that this banner being offered here is one of he first ever Bonnie and Clyde roadshow banners. Interestingly enough, Bon-nie and Clyde were still alive when this banner was in use. This is why their names are not printed at all upon the poster as the roadshow profiteers were not stupid, because if their names were on it, that might have led to a visit from the gangsters, and the outcome of that visit could have been less than pleasant.

The banner has been on exhibit for the past several months in a freak show banner display held at the Webb Gallery in Waxahachie, Texas. The art style is like that of freak show banners, which are highly sought and collected today.

From the Collection of Thomas Carl Rainone.

$10,000 – 12,000

ENORMOUS 1930S BONNIE AND CLYDE FREAK SHOW BANNER


54. Clyde Barrow Hideout Letter. ALS signed “Bud,” one page, 2.75 x 4.5, no date. Letter to his brother, L. C. Barrow, written on the back of a candid snapshot photo of a small house on a platform surrounded by water. Barrow writes, in full: “Say how do you like our little home on the sea. We may go to no telling so we will write you later. I am sending you a tie—to pay you for your black hat. This is your girl on the tie. ha ha.” In very good condition, with scattered spotting, soiling and foxing to correspondence side, some over signature, and scattered noticeable creasing and spotting to image side. Accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from Barrow’s sister Marie, which reads, “This is a picther [sic] with letter on back wrote [sic] to my brother, he used the name Bud. Ever [sic] one knew that was the way he signed his name while on the run. Bud was a code for Clyde Barrow, who wrote this letter to my brother L. C. Barrow.”

No matter where their travels took them, Bonnie and Clyde remained in touch with their family members, writing and secretly visiting whenever they could. In this quick letter to his younger brother L. C., Clyde – known to his family and friends as ‘Bud’ – lets him know that they’re still, as always, on the run and hiding out where they can. According to historian Jonathan Davis, this “little house on the sea” was on the Gulf of Mexico, where the outlaws stayed at different times. Shortly after the ambush in 1934, prosecutors went after most of the couple’s family members for harboring fugitives. L. C. served two years on this count, and an additional three for an armed robbery that he did not commit and was later acquitted of. He was the only of the four Barrow boys to straighten up his life once the dust settled from his brothers’ crimes and deaths. Anything written by Barrow is incredibly rare; this personal note to his little brother, written from a hideaway presumably at the height of the Gang’s infamy, is absolutely extraordinary, far surpassing any we have seen.

$10,000 – 20,000

AN EXTRAORDINARY PERSONAL LETTER WRITTEN ON THE RUN AND SIGNED WITH HIS ALIAS ‘BUD’:

“We may go to no telling so we will write you later”

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55. Blanche Barrow Letter Archive. Sister-in-law of Clyde Barrow (1911–1988). She and Clyde Barrow’s brother Marvin ‘Buck’ Barrow were part of the Barrow Gang from late March 1933 until their capture on July 24, 1933. Collection of 47 letters from Blanche Barrow, several unpublished, most handwritten in pencil, with a couple of typed letters also, most written from the Missouri State Penitentiary to her mother. Most of the letters are signed, with four signed “Blanche Barrow,” 16 signed “Blanche,” six signed “Your loving daughter,” 12 signed “B.B.,” and one signed “Baby girl.” The vast collection of letters date from 1933–1939, with almost all of the letters written to her mother. Many of these letters served as the basis for the book Blanche Barrow: The Last Victim of Bonnie and Clyde, written by Robert E. Davis. A selection of the letters follows.

An undated letter reads, in part: “Sorry I have been unable to write because of a quarantine which was put on the 15th because of smallpox. It has not been lifted yet, and I am not allowed to write, so this is written on the q.t.…I have not heard from Freddie for 3

weeks. Guess he has gone the way all fair weather friends go…Dear, it doesn’t look like I will make parole because I don’t have any one to go to the front here and fight for me. Those I thought would do me some good at this time seem to have all dropped out of the picture. But, if I have to do it all, I only have 31 more months.”

Another undated letter, but after Buck’s death in July of 1933, in part: “And some day, if I ever get out of here, I hope to make your’s and dad’s life more pleasant…I love you both dearly, and were it not for you two, I would have never given up. I would have died with the one who meant more to me than any one else or rather could ever want. I love poor little Mother Barrow too, because she was my loved one’s Mother, and I will always love her for his sake, and just because I want to.”

January 14, 1933: “Mother I have 10 years, but with good conduct, I will only have to serve five years 10 months, and I have hopes of getting a parole in 2 years…Oh if only I could have my darling waiting

Buck’s widow struggles to make sense of her life after The Barrow Gang

IN THIS 47-PIECE ARCHIVE


for me free when I come out. Only God in heaven knows how I miss him. It seems I just can’t go on with him sometimes, but life must go on. But oh dear, he was everything to me.”

October 1933: “Mother, the doctor took the bandage off my eye Sunday, but cannot see out of it very good yet…Mother, when you write don’t say anything about the past. Although I can never forget it, and do not want to forget about my darling. Because letters mean so much in this place, that is all I have to look forward to at the end of the day.”

October 12, 1933: “The warden just walked through the kitchen here. Wanted to know how I liked my pictures. He had Buck’s picture enlarged for me. It looks so sweet. I can’t hardly keep from crying when I look at it. I just can’t seem to ever realize he has gone from this world, but I love him oh so much, and all I have left now is the few sweet memories of him, of the few short years we were together. Oh God, what would I pay just to be with him again. But I guess I am cruel wanting him back in this old world of pain and unhappiness.”

October 21, 1933: “Mother, you asked if I could get a pardon. Well dear, I don’t think so. It will be two years before I can go up for a parole. So all I can do is just wait and pray for the best in the end. But you may help me a lot by having some good news to write to the Board of Pardons and Parole. Every good letter will help. But don’t write anything about Buck or against him. Yes, I guess it is a sin to long for my darling, Buck to this old world of pain and unhappiness, but I love him so much and miss him so because he meant so much to me, and all I have left is memories. I am proud you got to go see him.”

November 1, 1933: “And Mother, there is nothing you can do for me for two years anyway. I will write and tell you when I think you can help me out of here, and don’t worry about this place hurting me. I have already been hurt all they can hurt me. Nothing hurts me anymore. As for my past, I am dead too. I only want to be free some-day to make you and Dad happy…I guess you knew John [Blanche’s first husband John Calloway] wrote the Sheriff a few days after I was captured. Well, you can tell him to keep his nose out of my business as I do not belong to him any more and have not for over two years and do not care to have him writing about me to anyone or my darling who he never new [sic] and who I never met while I was with him. He has caused me enough trouble and pain when I was with him, but his letter did not hurt me any and if it should have been used, he need not think his name would not have been in the paper.”

September 1, 1935. “I go up for parole Oct. 7th, but I need a spon-sor before I go up, so I want you and Mrs. Barrow to do all you can for me in the next month. I want my file complete by the time I go up for a hearing. I still have no hopes but I want a chance, and if everything I need is not on file by Sept 30th, it will do no good to do anything more. So I want you to go see Mrs. Barrow and you and her find Mr. Paskle.” September 14, 1935: “I will write him myself.…I only wanted him to get him to be my sponsor any way. That’s why I thought if you and Mrs. Barrow talked to him, she could make him understand what I wanted, as he talked to us the day I left, as she knows what he said

he could and would do. But she is not interested OK. Just forget it. If she would turn me down now, she would turn Buck down, because he was my husband and loved me well enough to die that he might save me. And I felt the same about him. As God knows, I would have gladly died to have saved him…I will be free from here in 1939 if I have to do it all, which I am sure I will have to do.”

December 4, 1935: “I had a letter from Mrs. Barrow this week, and she told me that she never got to see you any more. She thinks you are mad at her because she did not feel like going to see that lawyer with you when you wrote me about it. So just forget whatever I may have said about it and don’t be mad at her, because you know dear she has had so much trouble and worries. I don’t see how the poor dear has stood up under it all. I guess there is no one who understands her as I do…Of course I love you best, but I love her too because I loved Buck too much not to love his mother too.”

January 5, 1936: “Do you know if anyone has been indicted for harboring Ray Hamilton yet. Please don’t forget to answer my questions when you write. Read my letter over please. I read about Ray H.s father being found dead. Has L. C. been brought back to Dallas yet, or did he get to go home free. I hope he does not have to do any more time.”

November 6, 1938: “I feel so sorry for Mrs. Barrow poor old soul. I don’t see how she stands up under all the sorrows she has had and is still having. I thought her troubles would be over after B and C were gone but looks like they have begain [sic] all over again.”

Though Blanche never fired a gun during her time with the Barrow gang, she did accompany her husband on a number of armed rob-beries. On July 19, 1933, they were involved in a gunfight at the Red Crown Tourist Court near Platte City, Missouri; three people were wounded, including Sheriff Holt Coffey. Buck was shot in the head and Blanche took shards of glass in her eye, but the entire gang managed to escape. Five days later, in another gunfight, Buck was shot again, this time fatally, and both were captured. After be-ing convicted of the attempted murder of Coffey, she was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary. Her four-month run with the gang cost her years of her life, the loss of her husband, and the sight in her left eye. Written from prison shortly after her trial and Buck’s death, these letters capture the intense emotion that led her to follow her husband along his criminal path. Her devotion to Buck and her references to Mrs. Barrow’s sorrows capture a side of the Barrow Gang’s story that is often forgotten in the fast-paced and exciting tales of their crime spree: the long-lasting emotional damage they left in their wake.

$6,000 – 8,000

“As for my past, I am dead too. I only want to be free someday to make you and Dad happy…”

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56. Cumie Barrow’s Unpublished Manuscript and Glasses. Very interesting archive from Clyde Barrow’s mother, Cumie Bar-row (Walker). Centerpiece of the archive is a forty page unpublished manuscript, typed by Mrs. Barrow, detailing Clyde’s boyhood, and focusing on the period from 1929 to his death in 1934. Chapters in the manuscript include titles such as “Buck’s Escape from the Penitentiary,” “Deeper Into the Mire,” “The Hillsboro Killing,” “The Atoka Killing,” “Killing of Deputy Sheriff Malcolm Davis,” “Clyde’s Attempt to Join Pretty Boy Floyd,” and “The End of the Trail.” Manuscript reads, in small part: “Mr. Barrow was the last one of the family to see Clyde alive. It was the evening of May 7th, just exactly two weeks and two days before he was ambushed and shot down by the officers near ---- La. Clyde would come by the filling station and toot his horn a certain way, and we got to know it was him. He did this instead of stopping in front of the garage so much and possibly attracting attention. Then he would stop and chat a few moments unless something looked suspicious, in which case he would drive on down the road and come back later, or maybe make several such trips by. Sometimes he would motion us to walk away from in front of the filling station….That night Mr. Barrow stayed with Clyde until nearly one o’clock in the morning, and finally Clyde told him to go on back to the filling station, as the officers would be watching his movements any way. The next time any of us saw him he was a corpse.

Most of the readers are perhaps better versed than I am in the trap that was sprung to bring my boy’s infamous career to an end in a sudden blast of lead. There have been, of course, conflicting stories concerning the ambush and that was to mean the end, and while it has been denied by the officers themselves, it is my firm belief, in which, of course, I may be wrong, that Henry Methvin and his father were both involved…Methvin parked his truck on the highway—a truck that Clyde had bought for him—and pretended to be working on one of the tires. The officers were a short ways up the road, beside an embankment…I believe Sheriff Bob Alcorn claims to have been the first one that hit him…However, the others continued to pour lead into the car, and Alcorn had to get back out of the way to keep from getting his…And so they brought him down. The officers who performed this grim task did their duty as they saw it, and I hold no grudge, only the regret that my boy had to got that way. We of course had long known it would be something like that, but it was harder than anyone who has never experienced such a thing could realize. Our own children meeting death on a lonely country road, with every

hand against them, and no one to turn to for advice or comfort, shot after shot being poured into them until they were only human wreck-age…Out of all this I try as best as I can to gain some consolation knowing that the end came swiftly and mercifully.”

Also included are Cumie Barrow’s eyeglasses and case; a railroad identification card filled out and signed in pencil by Clyde’s father, H. B. Barrow; an original vintage glossy 3.5 x 5.5 photo of H. B. and Cumie Barrow; and an original vintage glossy 3 x 4.75 snapshot of H. B. Barrow posing outdoors.

In very good condition, with toning, tears, and edge chips to manu-script, one page missing upper portion, and scattered creases and silvering to snapshots.

$6,000 – 8,000

“Our own children meeting death on a lonely country road,”

WRITES CLYDE’S HEARTBROKEN MOTHER IN HER UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT OF THE OUTLAWS’ STORY

“shot after shot being poured into

them until they were only human

wreckage”


58. Bonnie Parker Handwritten Biography by Sister Billy Jean Parker. Handwritten biographical sketch done by Bonnie Parker’s sister, on 14 5 x 8 off-white pages. In part (with grammar and spelling retained): “Bonnie was known for her unselfishness- if she had a dollar & some one else needed it, the money went to them…When she worked at Marco’s Cafe on Main [downtown Dallas], it was a stop off place for the less fortunate…She never made it home with a full check…she would say I know I’m a mark but I can’t let people go hungry…Bonnie was in almost all the school plays as I look back now - I can’t remember her having any home work. I would study for hours after evening meals. But I can’t remember Bonnie studying…We fished and swim a lot on Saturdays…Bonnie was always a happy person…When she married Ray Thornton, they rented a furnished house & Bonnie would not move in until Mother, Buster [Bonnie’s brother] & I agreed to live with them…After she left with Clyde, when ever we went out to meet them we talked mostly about the events of home, styles- hair, clothes,

food. She was always evasive about other things…To my knowledge I don’t think Bonnie could drive a car. I never saw her drive & never heard her mention driving. When she & Clyde had the car wreck in 1933, her legs were burned so bad that she never straightened her right leg again. I was with her during this time. We had to leave this motel as Clyde was running short of money. We had to have clean sheets & blankets for her to lie on so we took them from the motel & Clyde left money for them on the nite stand in the room. Money that he could ill afford. But that was Clyde & Bonnie. We stayed days & nites in woods. Bonnie & I would talk for hours, about everything, a lot about things that could of been…Winter months was always the hardest on us all. I would find Mother roaming thru the house nite after nite, she would always say- oh I wonder if she is warm, or sick, or hungry. I just can’t lay in a warm bed wondering where & how she is. My mother was only 46 years old at this time. This was in the winter before Bonnie was killed in the Spring—May 23rd.” In fine condition, with central vertical fold to each page and scattered light toning. A fascinating and eye-opening look at Bonnie’s personality from someone who knew her intimately.

$1,000 – 2,000

57. Blanche Barrow Photo Archive. Large and interesting collection of photographs from Blanche Barrow’s personal photo albums. Ninety-nine photos are included, mostly snapshots, of various sizes up to 3.25 x 5, some clipped for application into scrapbooks. Many of the photos have been notated on the front or back by Barrow, adding her name or initials to some of the photos as well. Some of the photos are from Barrow’s time in the Missouri State Penitentiary and include photos of her along with other inmates, many of whom she identifies. Other photos include family and friends, including her father, several photos of Blanche with her second husband Buck Barrow, a couple of photos of Buck alone, and one posed photo of Buck and his friend Bill staging a mock robbery complete with firearms. Some of the photos are affixed to larger scrapbook pages. Also included is a Christmas card to Blanche from her father during her time in prison, as well as Barrow’s two ring binder, signed on the inside front cover, “Mrs. Blanche Barrow,” as well as her other names, “Miss Iva Caldwell,” “Mrs. Iva Callaway,” and “Miss Bennie Caldwell.” In overall very good condition.

$2,000 – 3,000

LENGTHY HANDWRITTEN BIOGRAPHY OF BONNIE BY HER SISTER: “When she & Clyde had the car wreck in 1933, her legs were

burned so bad that she never straightened her right leg again”

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59. Bonnie and Clyde Newspaper. Original May 24, 1934, Late Day edition of the New York Times, 17 x 22.75, 48 pages. Page three bears several headlines and stories about the demise of Bonnie and Clyde, featuring the classic image of Bonnie holding up Clyde with a shotgun, as well as a portrait of Frank Hamer. One story is written by Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan. Two of the smaller headlines read “Shot the Devil Out of Them,” and “50 Bul-lets Hit Pair.” In fine condition, with central horizontal fold, a mild shade of toning, front page folded over so page three is visible, and marginal binding holes to left edge.

$400 – 600

“SHOT THE DEVIL OUT OF THEM”

60. Bonnie and Clyde Newspaper. Original May 23, 1934 issue of the Ottumwa Daily Courier, 17 x 21.5, with the headline stating “Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker Killed: Notorious Outlaw Pair Trapped on Road Near Hideaway in Louisiana.” Front page bears an image of the couple with the secondary headline stating “Desperadoes, Ignoring Officer’s Halt Order, Die in Speeding Auto Without Getting Chance to Return Gun Fire.” In very good condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, a few chips to the fragile edges, and uniform toning.

$400 – 600


“CLYDE BARROW, BONNIE PARKER

KILLED”


64. Bonnie and Clyde Death Pho-tos. Pair of decades old but later generation unsigned gelatin silver 8 x 10 photos of Bonnie and Clyde at the under-taker’s after their deaths at the hands of law enforcement officers, with Clyde in the midst of the embalming process, his head resting on a blood-soaked pillow. These photos were printed some time after the event, perhaps the 1950s, but the images are clear and detailed. Tack holes to each corner and scattered creases and surface marks, otherwise fine condition.

$200 – 400

63. Bonnie and Clyde Photos. Four unsigned glossy photos, all approximately 3 x 2, one showing the exterior of their hideout, one showing the inside of the hideout, and images of Bonnie and Clyde’s bodies shortly after they were removed from their car. In fine condition, with trimmed edges to two photos.

$200 – 300

62. Bonnie and Clyde Death Photo. Vintage original 1934 8.25 x 5.5 gela-tin silver pho-tograph of the lifeless bodies of Bonnie and Clyde on public display

shortly after their deaths. The sharp and detailed first generation im-age shows the heads and upper torsos of both, with several onlook-ers visible behind the bodies. The photo shows a variety of wear, including trimmed edges, scattered creases, crazing to finish, very small spots of paper loss above Clyde’s head and tape remnants to reverse edges, otherwise very good condition.

$400 – 600

61. C lyde Barrow Death Photo. Vintage original 1934 10 x 6 gelatin silver photograph of Barrow’s bloody and lifeless body on display shortly after his death on May 23, 1934, with onlookers surrounding the body. Photographed by someone in the crowd, perhaps a press member. The back is unstamped. In very good condition, with missing top left corner, scattered creases, and trimmed edges.

$400 – 600

66. Bonnie and Clyde Death Photos. Eight glossy photos, ranging in size from 3.25 x 2.5 up to 3.25 x 5, of Bonnie and Clyde shortly after they were killed by law enforcement in 1934. Images depict their bloody bodies shortly after they were removed from their car and transported to the undertaker’s in Arcadia, Louisiana. In overall very good to fine condition.

$200 – 300

65. Bonnie and Clyde Death Car and Shirt Photos. Two decades old but second generation 10 x 8 gelatin silver photos, one of Bonnie and Clyde’s bullet-riddled car in Arcadia, Louisiana, with Frank Hamer near the driver’s side door; and one of Clyde’s coat shredded from the gunfire of the ambush. The images are sharp and detailed and each photo has a caption affixed to front top. In fine condition, with some mild rippling and a single tack hole to bottom corner tips.

$200 – 300

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69. Bonnie and Clyde Death Car Photos. Three unsigned glossy photos, two 7 x 5 and one 5 x 4. One image shows a close-up of the driver’s side and its bullet holes; one shows a large crowd gathering around the car after it was moved; and the last is a candid snapshot of the ‘Crime Doctor’ Charles W. Stanley posing next to the car. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

68. Clyde Bar-row Death Car Photos. Five unsigned glossy photos ranging in size from 3 x 2 up to 4 x 5, of Clyde Bar-row lying dead in his bullet-riddled

car, with some of his weapons displayed on the roof of the car. In overall very good condition.

$200 – 400

67. Bonnie and Clyde Death Photos. Four unsigned photos, various finishes, rang-ing in size from 5.5 x 3.5 up to 10 x 8, showing the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde after they met their demise on May 23, 1934. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

70. Emma Parker Photo. Vin-tage 1934, 6 x 7.5, gelatin silver ACME Newspictures photograph of Bonnie Parker’s mother Emma, her face buried in a handkerchief, being escorted from the Dallas, Texas, funeral parlor where ser-vices were conducted for Bonnie. The back has the original ACME Newspictures stamp and paper caption tag dated 5-25-1934. The caption reads, in part: “Mrs. Emma Parker, mother of Bonnie, who was slain with Clyde Barrow…and the mother of Billie, who is under arrest in Fort Worth, Texas charged in the wanton killing of two policemen allegedly shot by her…leaving the funeral parlor…where services were held for Bonnie.” In very good condition, with trimmed edges, a few spots to finish, and some scattered light surface marks.

$200 – 300

71. Clyde Barrow Condolence Cards. Collection of seven small condolence cards and two envelopes sent after Clyde Barrow’s death, similar in size to cards which would accompany flowers. The cards are signed “From the Westbay Family”; “From the Hale Fam-ily”; “from Ozella and family”; “Clarence”; “Dallas Newsboys to Clyde Barrow” and “Bennie Binnion,” with two additional florist’s envelopes. Accompanied by a 1996 letter of provenance from Marie Barrow, which reads, in part (with grammar and spelling retained): “These cards were sent to Clyde Barrow at the time of his death in 1934. The one that has Clarence on it was Clarence Clay he was Buster Parker’s wife’s brother. Clyde met Bonnie at there [sic] house he ran around with Clarence. The one from Ozella and Family Ozella was a real good friend of L. C. and mine.” In overall very good condition. The “Bennie Binion” card may very well be that of famed casino owner and reputed mobster. Interesting to note that at Clyde’s funeral on May 25, 1934, an airplane dropped a huge floral wreath (reportedly ordered by gambler Benny Binion) from the sky.

$400 – 600


73. Bonnie Parker 1946 Pamphlet. Pamphlet from 1946 entitled “The Blood-Soaked Career of Bonnie Parker: How Bandit Clyde Barrow and His Cigar-Smoking Moll Fought It Out With the Law,” by W. R. and Mabel Draper, 5.5 x 8.5, 32 pages. In fine condition, with light rub-bing to front cover and uniform mild toning to inside pages.

$100 – 200

76. Bonnie and Clyde Last Hideout Chimney Brick. A 4 x 2 x 2 section of brick from one of the chimneys of Bonnie and Clyde’s last hideouts. Brick is affixed to a wooden stand with a photo of the hideout (with two visible chimneys), and a descriptive caption which reads, “This brick was part of one of the chimneys of Bonnie and Clyde’s last hideout. The hideout they were going to when ambushed by law enforcement officers May 23, 1934. The hideout was located deep in the woods on an old stagecoach road just south of the Sales community. The hideout was burned to the ground intentionally years ago by the owners of the land because of the interest that it drew and the fear that someone would get hurt. All that was left was a pile of bricks. This is one of those bricks.”

Accompanied by a copy of a 1998 letter of provenance from Charles Heard who ob-tained bricks in Gibsland, Louisiana, and purchased remaining bricks at the 1998 Bonnie and Clyde Festival. Also accompanied by an affidavit signed by Heard stating he sold this half brick to Robert E. Davis on July 19, 1998, and that the brick came from their hideout after the fire. A great relic from their last hideout, the one they left from on the morning of May 23, never to return to again.

$400 – 600

75. Bonnie and Clyde Reading Material. Four pieces of Bonnie and Clyde literature: The Bonnie and Clyde Scrapbook; a Decem-ber 1990 Waco Heritage and History with a lengthy article entitled “The Waco Jailbreak of Bonnie and Clyde”; a 1979 Prison Ministry magazine featuring a story entitled

“Last of Bonnie & Clyde Gang: The True Story of Floyd Hamilton, Public Enemy No. 1”; and a 1984 Dallas Life Magazine insert fea-turing an article on accomplice Ralph Fults called “The Man Who Ran with Bonnie & Clyde.” In overall very good condition, with moderate soiling and dampstaining to prison magazine.

$100 – 200

74. Bonnie and Clyde Exhibition Photos. Seven un-signed reprinted photos, various finishes, of the Bonnie and Clyde exhi-bition on display in vari-ous locations, including the ‘death car,’ complete with large banners, a crowd milling about at one location, and two images of the car covered in a black shroud. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

72. Bonnie and Clyde Booklet and Ad. Two items: a 6 x 9 page from an advertisement for a tour of Bonnie and Clyde’s ‘Death Car,’ and other criminal items at the Roxy Theatre in Atlanta; and a limited edition booklet of Parker’s ‘Suicide Sal,’ 4 x 5.25, with the text of the story and several images of Bonnie contained inside. In fine condition.

$200 – 300

CHIMNEY BRICK FROM THE COUPLE’S LAST HIDEOUT

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77. Bonnie and Clyde 1968 Miniature Book. Limited edition miniature book entitled Bonnie and Clyde, 2.25 x 3, 10 pages, ap-proximately 100 copies, printed in 1968 by Frank J. Anderson “for the friends of the Wofford Librarian.” Book gives brief assessments of the life of Bonnie and Clyde and concludes with “Bonnie and Clyde were about as lovable as Ilse Koch and Martin Bormann.” In fine condition.

$200 – 300

79. Bonnie and Clyde Broadside. Very rare original broadside, 6 x 12, advertising “Famous Outlaws Clyde Barrow, Terror of the Southwestern and his Gun Moll ‘Bonnie’ Parker, Modern Tigress, fast shooting, cigar smok-ing blond Jezebel Meet Death at Gibsland, La.” This flier advertises “ac-tual authentic pictures” of this infamous pair shortly after they were killed by lawmen in Louisiana in 1934, touting “See the Texas Cop Killers—Slay-ers of 10 Men.” Also ad-vertised is a second feature, Beyond the Rio Grande. Center of the broadside has a reproduction of the now-classic photo showing Bonnie with sawed-off shotgun taking a gun from a smiling Clyde’s belt; and an original 8 x 8 Bonnie and Clyde wanted poster, issued on May 21, 1934, by the US Department of Justice. Poster features two images of the outlaws and states, in part: “Clyde Champion Barrow and Bonnie Parker constantly travel together and extreme caution must be exercised by arresting officers as they are wanted in connection with assault and murder of officers. Complaint was filed at Dallas, Texas, on May 20, 1933, charging Clyde Champion Barrow and Bonnie Parker with transporting Ford Coupe, Motor No. A-1878100, property of Dr. E.L. Damron of Effingham, Illinois, from Dallas, Texas, to Pawhuska, Oklahoma.” In very good condition, with broadside having a central horizontal fold, uniform toning, and a few edge chips and tears, and light toning to poster from previous framing and display.

$700 – 900

78. Bonnie and Clyde Book-let. Booklet entitled “The Story of Bonnie and Clyde,” by Thomas Aswell, 8.5 x 11, 24 pages, copy-right 1968. Booklet details the crime spree of the couple as well as their pursuit and eventual demise in May of 1934. Mild toning, a bit heavier to covers, stapled binding a bit fragile, and light handling wear, otherwise fine condition.

$200 – 300

80. John Dillinger Wanted Poster. Original 8 x 8 wanted poster for Dillinger issued in 1934 by J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a violation of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. Poster shows Dillinger’s fingerprints, his mugshots, physical description, his alias “Frank Sullivan,” and lists his criminal history, including arrests for assault, bank robbery, and murder. Bottom states Dillinger is wanted for “feloniously and knowingly transporting Ford V-8 four door sedan…from Crown Point, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois.” Central horizontal fold, dampstaining along lower right, and moderate toning and soiling, otherwise very good condition. Highly desirable as it is getting more difficult to find authentic specimens.

$200 – 400

“BONNIE AND CLYDE WERE ABOUT AS LOVABLE AS ILSE

KOCH AND MARTIN BORMANN”


81. John Dillinger Letter. ALS, in pencil, signed “John Dillinger #14395,” one page, 7.75 x 3.75, no date [but circa 1929–1933]. Let-ter written while in the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City, to prison assistant superintendent. H. W. Waymire. In full: “I am working in the shirt shop and the work is hard on my eyes and I would like to get transferred to the foundry #4 or Machine shop if possible. I will certainly appreciate it very much if you will do what you can for me.” Double matted and framed with a typed note stating Dillinger, “wants a transfer to the foundry from the shirt shop says the shirt shop is hard on his eyes,” an original 1934 US Justice Department wanted poster and a portrait of Dillinger holding a pistol and a Tommy gun, to an overall size of 28.5 x 14.25. Several vertical folds, one through a single letter of signature, two punch holes and a staple hole to top edge, and some scattered light soiling, otherwise fine condition.

In 1924, Dillinger was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison for his part in the assault and botched robbery of a grocery store owner in Moores-ville, Indiana. While working in the shirt shop at Indiana State Prison, he befriended the men who would later become his notorious (and aptly named) ‘Shirt Shop Boys,’ including Handsome Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley, and John Hamilton. They passed their long days devising elaborate escape plans and dreaming up crimes they would commit upon their release. When paroled in 1933, Dillinger put their plans to action, beginning with the successful coordination of the rest of his gang’s escape and continuing with a series of violent robberies that made him Public Enemy #1. This request to transfer out of the shirt shop, if accepted, would have eliminated the hours that this gang of criminals spent together planning the crimes that would later dominate the headlines. Dillinger letters are nearly impossible to come by: this piece, with its extraordinary content, is the first we have ever offered.

$35,000 – 40,000

THE FIRST WE HAVE EVER OFFERED, THIS INCREDIBLE HANDWRITTEN DILLINGER

LETTER REVEALS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO PREVENT THE ‘SHIRT SHOP BOYS’ INCEPTION: “I am working in the shirt shop and the work is hard

on my eyes and I would like to get transferred”

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84. John Dillinger Photo and Mel-vin Purvis Check. Bank check, 6 x 2.5, filled out and signed by famed FBI agent and gangster hunter Purvis, “Melvin H. Purvis,” payable to News and Courier for $9.00, dated August 3, 1939. Light bank stamp and cancellation holes to check, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned origi-nal 1930s 5 x 7 studio portrait photo of Purvis; and a vintage 1934 8 x 6 news photo of Dillinger posing with Sheriff Lillian Holley and other officials at the Crown Point, Indiana, jail from which he later escaped. The Dillinger photo is one of his most famous and desirable images and many believe shows him giving a hand sign for someone to sneak a gun into him. The Dillinger photo is neatly trimmed with rounded corners and is professionally linen backed. The back also has the original paper caption tag dated 3-34-1934. There are scattered surface marks and light silvering otherwise fine condition. Purvis’ first generation photo is sharp and clean all around, and likely was used as a professional publicity photo. Purvis led the manhunts that tracked down Dillinger, along with Baby Faced Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.

$200 – 400

83. John Dillinger Newspaper. Original April 24, 1934, edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune18 x 24, 22 pages, with the banner headline announcing “Dillinger Shoots Way Clear; Three of Gang Best Officers in Gun Battle.” Byline states “Two Dead, Four Shot in Earlier Battle.” In very good condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, uniform toning, and several edge tears and chips to front page.

$200 – 400

THE FACE OF AN OUTLAW: An eerie limited edition Dillinger

death mask made from one of the four originals

82. John Dillinger Death Mask. Limited edition second generation plaster death mask of John Dillinger, #6/100, approximately 9.75 x 6, created from a mold of the original death mask. The highly detailed mask is signed on the reverse in the mold by Larry McComb. In fine condition.

The day after Dillinger was killed, over a thousand people lined up at the Chicago city morgue to view the mortal remains of the notorious desperado. While his body was on display, it is believed that four death masks were made of the famous face with varying degrees of coopera-tion from the authorities. This limited edition mask was created from one of those original four. This highly detailed piece captures the outlaw as he lay on that final day of viewing: an extraordinary addition to any gangster collection.

$400 – 600


85. John Dillinger Hair and Melvin Purvis Signed Memorandum Display. Typed memo-randum, signed “MHP,” one page, 7.5 x 10.25, dated May 12, 1934. Headed “Memorandum for the file,” the memo reads, in part: “Mr. H. C. Hoagland of the Action Film Company…called on me on May 8, 1934, and informed me that he is now engaged in making a two reel motion picture concerning Dillinger. He was sent to see me by Mr. Hinton Clabaugh and Mr. Hoagland stated that the purpose of this film is of a constructive nature and not one which would tend to glorify a criminal. He requested that I make an opening statement for this film, and that I permit him to photograph me making the statement. I, of course, declined and thanked him for the courtesy of his request and I have also informed the director of this.” Accompanied by a free franked mailing envelope, postmarked June 27, 1934, addressed in type to “Mr. Richard J. Reese, Reese Auditing Company,” signed in the upper left, “Lt. Col. Melvin Purvis, JAGD-C.M.G.T.C., Fort Custer, Mich.,” and franked “Free,” in the upper right by Purvis. Both items are double matted and framed with a portrait of Purvis, a reproduc-tion ‘Wanted’ poster of John Dillinger, and a moustache hair of Dillinger’s, removed from his death mask, to an overall size of 37 x 22. In fine condition, with two expected punch holes to top of memo, and some light toning to envelope’s bottom edge. Hair is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from John Reznikoff.

$6,000 – 8,000

86. ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Newspaper. Original front page of the October 23, 1934, edition of the New Orleans Times-Pica-yune, 16.25 x 22, with the banner headline stating “’Pretty Boy’ Cornered, Slain By U. S. Agents and Police; Oklahoma Outlaw Shot Down Without Chance to Resist.” Page also features two images of Floyd and one of Melvin Purvis. Two smaller head-lines before the story read “Floyd Fatally Wounded by Officers as He Ignores Command to Halt on Farm in Ohio,” and “Dying Desperado Admits Identity.” Double matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 27.5. In very good to fine condition, with a central horizontal fold, mild overall toning, a bit heavier along fold, and some light rippling.

$400 – 600

HAIR FROM DILLINGER’S MOUSTACHE AND A MEMO FROM THE AGENT WHO TRACKED HIM DOWN

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87. Melvin Purvis Archive. Collection of approximately 100 items, consisting of typed letters, manuscripts, and FBI memo-randa, bearing 81 various signatures of Purvis, with a majority signed “P,” mostly on the various memoranda, and three full “Melvin Purvis” signatures. The archive is dated mostly between 1930-1943, with much of the correspondence on onionskin pages.

The memoranda, signed “P” as Special Agent in Charge, are to Special Agents or employees attached to field offices in Cincinnati, Washington, Oklahoma City, and Birmingham, concern high tele-phone and telegraph charges, changes of address, taking files from the office without permission, including “undeveloped leads” in reports, “a pamphlet furnished by the Bureau containing the secret numbers of various automobiles,” typing ability essential for all special agents, “Antitrust investigations,” limiting annual leave, calling the office frequently, “White Slave conditions in the Birmingham district” (two pages), fingerprinting prostitutes upon arrest, and accountants with experience “testifying before a grand jury or at a trial.” Other memoranda relate to requests of Purvis to speak to groups including the Rotary Club, Barristers Club, Burlingame Baptist Church Men’s Club, San Mateo Congregational Church Men’s Club, Interchange Club, Kiwanis Club, Optimist Club, California Highway Patrol, and the San Francisco Business League.

Another interesting grouping of four typed manuscripts, signed in pencil, “M.P.,” or “P,” on 5 x 8 sheets. One reads, in part: “On the night of [left blank, 1931], which was on the day I had been told I was being ordered to go to Oklahoma City and take charge of the office, we had a long talk, Edgar Hoover & I…I told him I liked this job pretty well and that I would like to remain in this service …I also told him I had no intention of being insubordinate, and that I felt that since there were no chains on me, forever linking me to this job, that this could not be even considered as an ultimatum, I merely wanted to do something I knew would work and work better than the system being used…He said ‘You have a fine record in the Bureau, and now you want to ruin it.’ I told him I would guarantee to get more work done in my way and there would be a much better spirit in the organization. He said it could not be done. We butted heads until after midnight…” Another story begins: “Terre Haute, Indiana - On Robinson kidnapping case. Kidnapper’s wife arrived at RR. Station with suitcase containing $50,000.00 ransom. My instructions were to drop the trailing of her if it became evident that she knew she was being trailed. Trailing her from one station to another. My calls to Hoover…”

Remaining letters and memorandum deal with a variety of issues including letters to his secretary Miss Watson, a letter as President and General Manager of the Florence Broadcasting Company attempting to acquire payment, letters relating to using Purvis in radio commercials or print ads of the Moore Clothing Company, Gillette Razor Blade Company, Iodent Company, and Dodge Corporation, and five letters to his accountant, Richard Reese. Also included are several Western Union telegrams, four letters concerning negotiations with Warner Bros. for radio programs and a movie. Two documents presented to Purvis are also included, one from the Federal Communications Commission and one certifying Purvis as an attorney and counselor solicitor of the Northern California District Court.

In good to very good overall condition. An interesting look into Purvis’s professional life with the FBI, worthy of further research.

$10,000 – 12,000

COPIOUS ARCHIVE FROM ILLUSTRIOUS G-MAN PURVIS: “We had a long talk, Edgar Hoover & I …

We butted heads until after midnight”


92. George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly Photo. Gangster (1895–1954) during the Prohibition era. His nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thompson submachine gun. His most famous crime was the kidnapping of oil tycoon and businessman Charles F. Urschel in July 1933. Classic original 1933 news photograph of George ‘Ma-chine Gun’ Kelly; one of the better photos you will find of this notable gangster. The unsigned 6 x 8 gelatin silver Associated Press photo shows Kelly in prison, ‘hand cuffed’ to the jail bars. The first genera-tion image is sharp and clean. The back has a light Associated Press stamp, October 3rd 1933 date stamp and the remnants of the caption tag. Used as the original art for a newspaper picture, the back has various standard editorial notes including Kelly’s name and “caught in Memphis, Tenn.” In very good condition, with scattered creases, some rippling to edges, missing lower left corner tip, and small area of discoloration to lower right.

$100 – 200

90. ‘Ma’ Barker Newspaper. Original January 16, 1935, evening edition of The Baltimore News and The Baltimore Post, 16.75 x 21, 28 pages. Banner headline along the top edge reads, “Agents Slay 3 of Kidnap Gang In Battle,” with a one column article on the front page with a smaller headline reading “Aged Woman Among Victims of U. S. Machine Guns in Fight at Oklawaha, Fla.” Story opens with Fred and ‘Ma’ Barker were killed “in a withering, six-hour machine gun battle.” In very good condition, with a central horizontal fold, rough left edge, and mild overall toning, a bit heavier to edges, and chips to edges.

$400 – 600

91. John Dill-inger Newspa-per. Original front page from the July 23, 1934, edition of The Baltimore News and the Post, 16.75 x 21.25, with the full-length headline announc-ing “Dillinger Led To Death By Girl Dressed In Red,” and featuring an image of a mob surrounding Dill-inger’s body being removed from the scene. Second page bears a large headline which states “Dillinger Slain By Federal Agents In Chicago Trap,” with secondary headline stating “Surrounded Leaving Movie House; Girl Gave Tip, Report.” Page also features a photo of Mary Baum, whose husband, US Justice Agent Carter Baum was killed by Dillinger several months earlier. Uniform toning, chipping and paper loss to edges, some old tape remnants and a couple of repairs, otherwise very good condition.

$400 – 600

88. John Dillinger Newspaper. Original Page 3 from the July 23, 1934, edition of The Baltimore News and the Post, with the banner across the top stating “First Pictures of Desperado Dillinger Slaying in Chicago,” with eight large photographs taking up the entire page. Photos include a group standing around Dillinger’s blood stains in the alley where he was killed; Dillinger at the age of three with his mother; a woman who was injured in the shootout; three of Dillinger’s women in tears after his demise, and one of Dillinger shackled to a deputy sheriff during a line-up. There are several more pages stuck to the reverse of page three. In good condition, with toning, a small replacement to end of headline, and paper loss and chipping to the very fragile edges.

$400 – 600

89. John Dillinger Newspaper. Original July 23, 1934, edition of The Knickerbocker Press, 16.75 x 22.75, 18 pages, with its banner headline announcing “Dillinger Killed By Fed-eral Agents’ Guns; Elusive Desperado Mowed Down When He Walks Out of Theatre in Chicago and Meets 15 Marksmen.” A portrait of Dillinger is under the headline with four smaller headlines including “Outlaw Whips

Pistol Out of Pocket But Is Felled by Blast of Bullets,” and “Crimes Almost Without Number Are Avenged as Hunted Man’s Life Ends.” Front page also bears a story on the daring death row escape of Raymond Hamilton. In very good fragile condition, with central horizontal fold, uniform toning, and several edge tears and chips, and minor paper loss.

$400 – 600

“DILLINGER LED TO DEATH BY GIRL DRESSED IN RED”

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93. Baby Face Nelson. Lester Gillis, pseudonym George Nelson, was given the nickname ‘Baby Face’ Nelson because of his small stature and youthful appearance. A notorious kidnapper and bank robber in the 1930s, he killed both lawmen and innocent bystanders without distinction. As the FBI’s Public Enemy Number One, Nelson was killed in his final shootout on November 27, 1934 at the age of 25.

Nelson’s criminal career began at the age of 13 with theft and joyrid-ing, and progressed to driving bootleg alcohol in the late 1920s for the Chicago based Touhy gang. In 1930, he turned hardcore with two home invasions, stealing a combined $75,000 in jewelry. He robbed his first bank on April 21 of the same year, but unsatisfied with the $4,000 he got, committed another home invasion the following month netting another $125,000 in jewelry. Along with most of his gang, Nelson was arrested for the home invasion and sentenced to one year to life in Joliet State Prison. He escaped in February of 1932 and fled to the San Francisco Bay area in California where he began working for bootlegger Joe Parente.

He returned from the west coast to commit his first major bank robbery in Grand Haven, Michigan on August 18, 1933. When John Dillinger escaped from jail in Crown Point, Indiana, he joined Nelson’s gang in March of 1934. After committing two major bank robberies, they began a weekend vacation at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitow-ish Waters, Wisconsin. The FBI received a tip on April 22 that the gang was at the lodge and dispatched several agents under Melvin Purvis on a plane from Chicago. The agents had little time to prepare their attack, resulting in a major gun battle that left one agent and an innocent bystander dead, and four others wounded.

Nelson, Dillinger, and the other gang members escaped and split up. Two were killed before they could rejoin Nelson and Dillinger for their next bank robbery in South Bend, Indiana, on June 20, 1934. On July 22, 1934, Dillinger was killed by the FBI in Chicago after leaving the Biograph Theater, leaving Nelson as the FBI’s main target. By the end of November, the FBI believed he was using his old hideout at the Lake Como Inn in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. On the 27th Nelson surprised the agents who were staking it out and had his final gun battle.

Throughout his criminal career, Nelson used some of the fastest au-tomobiles available; combined with his excellent driving skills, this often enabled him to evade the law. In 1930 he was a well-known competitor at Roby Speedway, a one-mile oval dirt track in Ham-mond, Indiana. Another major competitor there was Cliff Woodbury, co-owner of Woodbury Auto Repairs at 4918 Madison Street in Chicago. A notarized statement from Cliff’s grandson states that the

repair shop often did favors for their ‘friends’ by modifying their cars so they could outrun the police, and that Lester Gillis was one of those ‘friends.’ He states that “the Smith & Wesson .38 revolver was one of two pistols given to Elmer by Lester Gillis as a present for some recent favors that Elmer had done him. When Elmer passed away the revolver was handed down to Cliff Woodbury, Jr., who then passed it to his son James Woodbury, who is the current owner.”

The revolver is a Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless Third Model, serial number 88625, cal .38 S & W with a 3 1/4 inch barrel. The included letter from the Smith and Wesson factory indicates that it was shipped on April 4, 1894 to Hibbard Spencer Bartlett and Co. in Chicago. The revolver has matching assembly numbers, has a very good bore, and has about 30% original blue mixing with plum patina. The factory checkered hard rubber grips are in fine condition, and a later period grip adapter has been installed which can be easily removed. A period brown leather belt holster is included.

Several copies of period photographs from the 1930s are included. Among them are one of the Woodbury Auto Repairs truck, one of Cliff Woodbury in a race car with “Boyle Valve Special” on the side, and another of the “Boyle Valve Co. Racing Team.” Also included is a short handwritten note of provenance from Elmer Woodbury stating he received two guns from Nelson as gifts.

This is an antique revolver and will transfer with no Federal restrictions.

Provenance:Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co., ChicagoLester Gillis aka ‘Baby Face’ NelsonElmer WoodburyCliff Woodbury, Jr.James Woodbury

$40,000 – 50,000

BABY FACE’S ‘LEMON SQUEEZER,’ gifted to a Chicago mechanic who customized his car to outrun police


94. Prohibition Newspaper. Original Tuesday morning July 1, 1919, edition of The Atlanta Constitution, 16.75 x 22, 20 pages. Large banner headline reads, “Whiskey Goes—Wine and Beer Stay,” with several smaller headlines above the one column article including “War Prohibition Not Bone Dryness Says Govern-ment,” and “Attorney General Palmer Rules that ‘Hard Stuff’ Must Go, but that Beer and Light Wine May Still Flow.” In very good condition, with torn binding holes to left edge, fragile binding and pages, chipped edges and corners, and uniform toning.

$200 – 300

95. ‘Legs’ Diamond Newspaper. Original October 13, 1930, edi-tion of The Detroit Free Press, 17 x 22.5, 22 pages, with the headline reading “’Legs’ Diamond Shot By Four Men; Dying,” and secondary headline and byline reading “Show Girl in Custody as Witness; Rothstein’s Ex-Aide At-tacked in New York Hide-out. Betrayed by his own Bodyguard.” In very good fragile condition, with

central horizontal fold, uniform toning, and some light chipping and paper loss to edges. Diamond had been lured to a hotel in New York by a Ziegfeld girl, and ambushed by Dutch Schultz’s men, but escaped with only minor wounds.

$400 – 600

96. Charles Ponzi Newspaper. Con man and swindler (1882–1949) who promised huge profits for buying discounted postal reply coupons in other countries and redeeming them at face value in the United States. In reality, he was paying early investors using the investments of later investors. This type of scheme is now known as a ‘Ponzi scheme.’ Original July 11, 1925, afternoon edition of New London, Connecticut’s The Day, 17 x 22.5, 16 pages. One byline on the front page reads, “Ponzi Adjudged Common Thief; Gets 7–9 Years.” Story reads, in part: “Charles Ponzi…was found guilty on four indictments charging larceny from investors in his international postal reply coupons enterprise.” Central horizontal fold, mild toning, and marginal binding holes to left edge, otherwise fine condition.

$200 – 400

97. Dutch Schultz Wanted Poster. Mobster, whose real name was Arthur Flegenheimer, (1902–1935) who made his fortune in bootlegging and the numbers racket. After two tax evasion trials against him by Thomas Dewey, Schultz saught permission to kill Dewey, which the Com-mission declined. After Schultz disobeyed the Commission and attempted to carry out the hit, they ordered his assassination. Original 1934 wanted poster, issued for Schultz and Henry Margolis by the US Treasury Department, one page, 8.5 x 14. Poster states Schultz, using his real name Arthur Flegenheimer, is wanted for “Violation of Federal Income Tax Law,” and features his ten fingerprints, mug shots, physical information, and his known aliases. Instructions at the bottom state, “If located, arrest and hold as a fugitive from justice.” In very good condition, with a central horizontal fold, light pencil marks throughout, paper loss to left edge, and a vertical mounting remnant to reverse of left edge.

$200 – 400

98. John Torrio Photo. Vintage original 1939 5 x 7 inches gelatin silver photograph of Mobster John Torrio leaving the federal court house in New York during his trial. Nice clean image with Tor-rio looking straight at the camera. The back has an original World Wide Photos caption sheet and a San Francisco Examiner stamp dated 1939. Originates from the Examiner’s archives. Mild rippling, otherwise fine condition.

$100 – 200

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99. Alvin Karpis Signed Letters and Photos. Thief, bankrobber, kidnapper, and bootlegger (1907–1979) nicknamed ‘The Rat’ by J. Edgar Hoover. Collection of six items consisting of three TLSs, two signed “Alvin Karpis,” and one signed “Al,” two one-page and one two-page, dated from October and November of 1969, all three to noted bank robber Frank Sawyer, shortly after Sawyer’s release from prison for a robbery he didn’t commit. One letter reads, in part: “It would be easy to just disappear but that would solve nothing for you. Perhaps that D. A. was hoping that you would hit the panic button and go on the lam, he then would be able to say; ‘See, I told you so.’ Frank, play it cool, you have made it now and there is no reason for you to ever get in trouble again. I am sure that your attorneys will see to it that you wind up with enough to keep you comfortable from here on out.” Another letter, dated November 27, reads, in part: “You can rest assured that Mr. Belli will see to it that you are not put back in prison. He will make them all look just like the dirty bastards they are, the D. A. and the judge that went along with old senile bastard in this…Frank, you will wind up the winner all the way around by the time it is all over with. As a matter of fact this petty persecution will work out in your favor if you play it cool and do not attempt to lam. You have nothing to run away from but those bastards do. They are going to outsmart themselves and Belli will wind up picking up all the marbles.” Karpis also discusses the difficulty in adjusting to life outside of prison, a television appearance he made, and about Sawyer’s potential relocation to Canada or Mexico. Also included are three glossy photos of Karpis arriving in Canada after his deportation, two 8.25 x 6 and one 6 x 8.25, each signed and inscribed in silver ink to Sawyer from Karpis. In fine condition, with scattered mild toning to letters. Sawyer was imprisoned for over two decades for the 1933 Fort Scott robbery. He was finally pardoned in September of 1969 after a signed statement from Karpis cleared Sawyer’s name.

$400 – 600

INSTRUMENTAL IN FREEING FRANK SAWYER, KARPIS WRITES THE PARDONED ROBBER

AND HELPS HIM GO STRAIGHT “Mr. Belli…will make them all look just like

the dirty bastards they are, the D. A. and the judge that went along with old senile bastard in this”


100. Al Capone .25 Colt Pistol. 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. A Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi-auto pistol owned by Al Capone. #148999, cal. .25 ACP, 2 1/8˝ barrel. The pistol retains about 70% factory blue with fine condition checkered black hard rubber factory grips. The mechanics are fine, all factory lettering is clear, and a proper two-tone magazine is included.

Included is a copy of a notarized letter dated September 11, 2000, from the owner to Greg Martin of Butterfield’s Auction House. He states that he will be 78 years old shortly, and that when he was about ten years old he lived in Chicago and that his father, Luigi Mascarello, was a bootlegger who worked for Al Capone. He further states that

Al Capone would stop at his house to eat his mother’s Italian cooking and that Al Capone gave this pistol to his folks for protection. He says that his father died when his car ran into a freight train while he was being pursued by the police.


Provenance: Al CaponeLuigi MascarelloPhilip MascarelloButterfield’s Auction House

$10,000 – 15,000

MOB BOSS AL CAPONE’S COLT SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL, given to one of his bootleggers for protection

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101. Al Capone Deposition. Typed de-position signed an unbelievable four times, “Alphonse Capone,” once on each page of a four-page transcript of Capone’s interroga-tion by police in their investigation of the attempted murder of his former mentor and crime associate John Torrio, dated January 24, 1925. Capone’s deposition is contained within 50 pages of police interviews, testi-mony, and notes in the case, each signed by the witness, two of whom include Capone’s chauffeur, Robert Barton and his accountant, Jake Gusick.

The first page provides the facts surround-ing the shooting stating that it took place at 3:30 P.M. at 7011 Clyde Avenue. Page states Torrio had “3 superficial gun shot wounds,” with the cause stating “While alighting from his automobile from the front of the above address was assaulted by three men, two of the men fired several shots at him, causing above injuries. The assailants then jumped into a dark cadillac touring car.” Capone’s police interrogation took place the same day as Torrio’s near fatal shooting.

Capone’s statement is captioned: “Statement of Alphonse Caponi [sic]. 7244 Prairie Av-enue...relative to the shooting of John Torrio...about 3:30 P.M. Jan 24th, 1925.” Highlights of the interrogation are as follows (Capone’s answers italicized): “Q. What is your business? A. Furniture business. 2224 Wabash Ave. Q. What is [the] name of store? A. Antique furni-ture. No name to store…Q. How long do you know John Torrio? A. About three years. Q. Where did you meet him.? A. In Chicago, at the Race Track, I met him at the Bennie Leon-ard fight in East Chicago, about three years ago....Q. Do you know any of the Costello in New York? A. Yes, Frank.…Q. How did you happen to know Frank Costello? A. I met him in a restaurant at 7th and Broadway.…Q. Were you ever in trouble in New York? A. No.... Q. How many times were you arrested in Chicago? A. Everytime something happens I get arrested. Q. You do know Johnny Torrio, three years? A. Yes. Q. What time today did you hear he was shot? A. About six o’clock.

Q. Where were you when you heard of it? A.I was going over to buy a couple of tickets for the White Cargo. I heard it in Al Bloom’s cigar store, first, everyone was talking about it. Q. What did you do when you heard of it? A. I called the hospital…Q. You got to the room where Torrio was? A. Yes. Q. Did you talk to him in Italian? A. No.…Q. Did he tell you who did it, or did you ask him who did it? A. I did not ask him and he did not tell me because he was in no condition to talk. Q. Would [you] have any idea who did it? A. No. Q. Would you tell us if you did know who did it? A. No, I value my life too much to tell if I did know.... Q. Can you give any reason for the shooting? A. No I cannot. Q. This statement is true and if you were called to testify this would be your statement and you will be willing to sign this statement? A. Yes, sir.”

Another interesting page is a memo from a captain to the Deputy Supt.of Police concern-ing witness Peter Veesart, dated March 4, 1925. In part: “Took Peter Veesart…to the B. of I. And he picked out the above named man, Chief of Detectives Schoemaker…arrested George Gage alias Moran and brought him to the 5th district where he was identified by Peter Veesart…as one of the men that done the shooting On that day. The prisoner was also brought to the Jackson Park Hospital where he was viewed by Johnny Torrio and his wife and they stated that he was not one of the men that done the shooting…Had three other witnesses to the shooting view George Gage alias Moran and they state that he resembled the man that done the shooting from the rear of the car on that day.” A large blue pencil notation at the bottom of the page indicates Veesart “after leaving jail at Wheaton, Ill., left the country refuses to identify anyone.”The final page of the report is a memo to the Chief of Detectives requesting “that the at-tached picture of George Gage alias George Moran is wanted in connection with the shooting of Johnny Torrio…who was shot in front of his home.”

In very good and slightly fragile condition, with uniform toning to pages, staple holes to

top edges, scattered chips and areas of paper loss to the edges, and some mounting remnants to top edges of opening and closing pages.

The victim, John Torrio, was Capone’s mentor and sponsor in their previous criminal activi-ties with the Five Points Gang in Brooklyn, where both had grown up. When Torrio moved to Chicago to manage a string of brothels for ‘Big Jim’ Colosimo, he brought along his protege, Capone. Torrio took over the empire after the murder of Colosimo; meanwhile Capone moved into the enor-mously lucrative bootleg whiskey business. Dion O’Bannion, an Irish mobster, and his lieutenant, Earl ‘Hymie’ Weiss, became their chief rivals. Conflicts between them escalated and in November 1924, O’Bannion was shot to death. On January 24, 1925, Weiss, with his sidekicks ‘Bugs’ Moran, Vincent Drucci and Frank Gusenberg, seeking revenge, came upon Torrio and his wife unloading packages in front of his home. Torrio fell in a hail of bullets, but Moran’s gun either jammed or he ran out of ammunition as he was about to deliver a shot to Torrio’s head. When Torrio eventually recovered, he fled to Italy, leaving Capone the undisputed boss of Chicago crime, a position he enjoyed until he was convicted of tax fraud and finally jailed.

Information was virtually impossible to collect in regard to the shooting. The few witnesses seemed fearful; none would conclusively identify the gunmen, although Moran was initially fingered. Even Torrio, when Earl Weiss and Vincent Drucci were brought into his hospital room, refused to identify them as being party to his shooting. A remarkable archive providing a vivid and compelling first-hand view of the methods perfected by Capone which rapidly propelled him to the pinnacle of the underworld.

Provenance: Jerome Shochet CollectionRobert Batchelder, Catalogue 84, item 241Christies, Sale 7888, May 20, 1994

$100,000 – 150,000

CAPONE’S PROHIBITION-ERA DEPOSITION taken just hours after the legendary 1925 attempted murder of his mentor Johnny Torrio, signed an amazing four times

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102. St. Valentine’s Day Mas-sacre Newspaper. Original front page of the evening edition of the February 14, 1929, issue of The Baltimore News, 16.5 x 20.5, with the headline screaming “7 In Chicago Rum Gang Lined Up, Shot To Death,” and a smaller headline reading “Victims Riddled by Machine Guns; Assassins Es-cape.” Double matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 26. In very good condition, with small tear to right edge, central horizontal fold, and mild toning, a bit heavier to edges. Seven members of Bugs Moran’s gang were gunned down in a warehouse, supposedly on the orders of his rival, Al Capone.

$500 – 600

103. Al Capone Newspaper. Original May 3, 1932, edition of The Scranton Times, with the banner headline announcing “Capone To Start 11-Year Term.” Single column article’s headline states “Gang King Gives Up Last Hope; Elaborate Precautions Taken to Insure Safe Delivery at Leavenworth,” with a printed mug shot of Capone to right of article. Central horizontal fold, light overall toning, marginal binding holes to left edge and small tears and paper loss to the very fragile edges, otherwise very good condition.

$800 – 1,000

104. Al Capone Newspaper. Origi-nal Late City edition of the January 26, 1947, New York Times. String-bound 100-page Sunday library edition paper measures 16.5 x 22.75 with a one-column headline on page seven reading “Capone Dead At 48; Dry Era Gang Chief,” with a six-column story reflecting on Capone’s life and criminal history as well as a portrait of Capone taken in 1933. In fine condition.

$200 – 300


“CAPONE TO START 11-YEAR TERM”


105. Al Capone Musical Manuscript. 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. Exceedingly rare handwritten and signed musical manuscript of ‘Madonna Mia,’ on an off-white 9.5 x 12.25 sheet of musically-lined paper. While incarcerated at Alcatraz, Capone writes out the music and lyrics to ‘Madonna Mia’: “In a quaint I-tal-ian gar-den, while the stars were all a-glow/ Once I heard a lov-er sing-ing. to the one that he loved so In/ that quaint I-talian Gar-den, ‘neath the star-ry sky a-bove. Ev’-ry night he’d/ ser-e-nade her, with his ten-der song of love. Ma-don-na/ Mi-a, you’re the bloom of the ros-es, you’re the charm that re-pos-es, in the heart of a song, Ma-don-na Mi-a, with your true love to guide/ me, let whatever be-tide me. I will never go wrong, There’s/ on-ly one moon a-bove. one gold-en sun, there’s on-Iy one that I love,/ you are the one, Ma-don-na Mi-a, This I vow. here be-fore you,/ til the end. I’ll a-dore you. Madon-na Mi-a. “ Signed and inscribed at the bottom to his favorite Jesuit priest: “To my good friend Father Vin

Casey with the best in all the world for a Merry Christmas always for you, Alphonse Capone.” Matted and framed with a portrait of Capone with a cigar clenched between his teeth to an overall size of 25 x 19.25. Central horizontal and vertical fold, small crease to lower left corner tip, and mild edge toning, otherwise fine condition.

While imprisoned for tax evasion, Al Capone developed a close friendship with Vincent Casey, a Jesuit priest in training who visited Alcatraz to offer spiritual counsel to prisoners in the 1930s. Already quite accomplished on the mandola, he took advantage of his spare time in prison to further hone his musical skills. After two years of meeting in his cell every Saturday, Capone penned this original composition, a beautiful love song about his wife Mae, as a Christmas gift for his friend and confidant Casey. This remarkably rare piece, the only one of its kind known to exist, captures the softer side of the man remembered for his brutal methods.

$45,000 – 50,000

The quintessential mobster reveals a gentler side in this ORIGINAL MUSICAL COMPOSITION PENNED FOR

HIS SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR AT ALCATRAZ

107. Al Capone Original 1930s Photos. Six vintage 1930s unsigned gelatin silver news photo-graphs, comprised of the following: 1) Original 1930s 8 x 9 newspaper photo of Capone conferring with his lawyers’ in a hallway, with hand-lettered captions of the lawyers’ names affixed to the photo and editorial markings as it was used as the original art for a newspaper picture. The back has a 1930s date stamp. 2) Vintage 1931 6 x 8 International News photo of Capone and his lawyer Albert Fink at the beginning of his trial. The back has the original International News Photos stamp, paper caption and 1930s date stamp. There is a tear in the middle. 3) Original 1934 10 x8 photo of Capone and a federal marshal before leaving Atlanta’s federal prison after his conviction. The back has an International News Photos stamp and paper caption sheet, along with various other period stamping and notes. 4) Original

1931 6 x 8 photo of Capone smiling smugly in his chair during his trial, with an original International News Photos stamp and paper cap-tion sheet on the back, along with various date stamps and editorial notes. The image is first generation crystal clear. 5) Well-worn original 1933 6.5 x 8.5 news photo of Capone with his cheek scar visible. The image has noticeable wear and editorial marks but is first generation clear. The back has a variety of editorial notes and newspaper date stamps including one from 1933. 6) Vintage 1931 6.5 x 8.5 image of Capone seated in a parlor chair, with editorial marks on the front stamp and a February 26, 1931 stamp date on back. The photos are in good to very good condition, with creases, trimmed edges, pencil marks and notations, including one to image, several tears, and handling wear.

$1,000 – 1,200

106. Al Capone Newspaper. Original October 24, 1931, edition of The Baltimore News, 17 x 21, 36 pages, with the banner reading “Al Capone in Chicago Court for Sentence Today,” with a one column article’s headline stating “Capone Faces Court Today For Sentence. Super-Gangster’s Lawyers in New Fight to Prevent His Going to Cell in Tax Case.” In good to very good condition, with central horizontal fold, mild toning, heavier to edges, and some chips to the very fragile edges.

$200 – 400



109. Frank Nitti Document. One of Al Capone’s top henchmen (1886–1943) who was in charge of all of the ‘muscle’ operations. He later became the frontman for the Chicago Outfit. Very rare DS, one page, 8.5 x 14, September 25, 1933. A Real Estate Schedule of Security offered as bail for Nitti by Mary Hussain. Hussain puts up a parcel of land valued at $3500 with Nitti being held on a charge of “Att. to commit Burglary.” Signed in the middle of the document, as the principal, “Frank Nitti,” adding his Lincoln Street address, and also signed by Hussain. Double matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 19.75. Horizontal folds, three torn punch holes to top edge, a couple small stamps and notations, and a few creases, otherwise fine condition. A great document relating directly to Nitti’s life of crime.

$2,000 – 4,000

‘THE ENFORCER’ makes bail on a burglary charge

SCARFACE’S WELL-USED

ROSARY from his federal

prison stint which included Alcatraz

108. Al Capone Rosary. Al Capone’s personally-owned and used rosary center. This white plastic rosary center measures approximately 1.5˝ x 2.25˝, with the Our Father in raised letters on one side and the Hail Mary on the reverse. Capone carried this rosary with him while in prison from 1932–1939, including almost five years at Alcatraz. Provenance: Butterfields 2000.

$3,000 – 5,000

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110. Eliot Ness ID Card . Prohibition agent (1903–1957) chosen to head a special squad known as the Untouchables, which led to the downfall of Al Capone and his successor Frank Nitti. City of Cleveland press identification card issued to Arthur Loesser, 4 x 3, with a clipped snapshot of Loesser stapled to the right side, stating Loesser “of the Cleveland Press may be passed through police and fire lines.” Signed by Ness as the Director of Public Safety, and countersigned by the Cleveland Chief of Police. Mayor Edward Blythin’s name has been crossed out in type with Frank J. Lausche’s name typed above. Double matted and framed with a photo of Ness at his desk to an overall size of 10 x 16. In very good condition, with horizontal creases, one lightly passing through portions of Ness’s signature, a bit of scattered light toning, and a typed notation to top edge.

After helping put Al Capone behind bars, Eliot Ness moved to Cleveland where he was appointed Director of Public Safety in 1935, overseeing both the police and fire departments. At that time, the city was wrapped up in a string of grisly murders known as the ‘Torso Murders,’ which continued through 1938. The cases were never solved and cast a dark cloud over Ness’s otherwise remarkable career, contributing to his decision to resign in 1942. This pass, undated but likely issued in 1941-42 (the only years in which Ness and Mayor Frank J. Lausche’s careers overlapped), gave press access to the well-known pianist and writer Arthur Loesser. A member of the Cleveland Institute of Music faculty, Loesser reviewed performances and wrote program notes for the Cleveland Orchestra. After the intense and remarkable events of his law enforcement career – from Capone’s arrest to the ‘Torso Murders’ – Ness must have appreciated the mundane duty of signing a Press Pass for a quiet and well-respected musician.

$7,500 – 10,000

111. Eliot Ness and Robert Stack Signature Dis-play. Vintage ink signature, “Eliot Ness, Director of Public Safety, City of Cleveland,” on an off-white lightly-lined slip removed from a larger register or guest book, and dated in another hand “Feb. 24/37”; and a ballpoint signature “Robert Stack,” on a light yellow card. Both are double cloth matted and framed together along with a photo of Ness and a photo of Stack as Ness, and a biographical plaque, to an overall size of 20.5 x 23.5. In fine condition, with some scattered light soiling to Ness’s slip.

$2,000 – 4,000

NESS GETS A BREAK FROM HIGH-PROFILE CRIMINAL CASES TO SIGN A PRESS PASS FOR PIANIST ARTHUR LOESSER


The humidor and stand are accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from the daughter of the man who acquired them directly from Luciano. The letter, dated March 29, 1997, reads in full: “My name is Mary Camarda, wife of Nicholas Camarda, and am currently 90 years of age. I am the daughter of Antonio Domingo who was born and raised in a coastal town in Sicily called Castellammare del Golfo, not far from Palermo. My father migrated from Sicily to the United States and like most other Sicilians, settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. From ap-proximately the mid to late 20’s until 1949 my father owned a restaurant/club at 22 Stanton street on the lower east side of Manhattan. It was here that my father catered to the many Sicilian dock workers from Brooklyn and Manhattan. He had a long standing reputation with the Longshoreman’s Union that represented all of the cities’ dock workers. My two brothers also worked for the Union. Before long, by word of mouth, this restaurant became somewhat of a social club for many of Sicilian descent. It was here, in the early years, that my father was acquainted and became friends with Mr. Luciano. It was through this relationship that my father acquired both cigar humidors and the remaining Belinda Cuban cigars from Mr. Luciano. Since my father’s death, my husband Nick and I packed these items away in our cellar, many years ago, along with all the memories that came with them.” Humidor shows some oxidation to the interior metal panels while the exterior exhibits a few minor nicks and abrasions, otherwise both the humidor and stand are in fine condition. A spectacular personal item from the heyday of Lansky’s empire.

Provenance: Lucky Luciano/ Antonio Domingo/ Mary Camarda (Domingo)/ Butterfield’s / Legendary Auctions

$35,000 – 40,000

112. Lucky Luciano Humidor. Lucky Lu-ciano’s personally-owned and -used humidor and game stand. Game stand, most likely mahogany or black cherry, measures 15 x 25 x 14, with a hinged door on the front which opens into a copper-lined cavity. A raised metal maker’s seal affixed to the right wall reads, “Springfield Furniture Works, Inc. Mfrs. of Fine Occasional Furniture, Springfield, Ohio.” Hinged top of the game stand opens up to reveal a recessed compartment displaying a tray of 121 poker chips.

Stored within the cavity is a removable humidor. Hinged top humidor measures 11.5 x 4.5 x 8 and bears an engraved 2.25 x 1 name plate affixed to the top, “Lucky Luciano.” Inside of humidor is lined in tin with a removable dessicant in the top of the cover. Housed inside the humidor is a wooden box of imported Cuban cigars, containing six individu-ally wrapped Belinda Habana’s. The underside of the cigar box features an official Cuban government label as well as a US Customs certificate indicating entry was granted at West Palm Beach in 1931.

A spectacular personal item from the heyday of Lansky’s empire

LUCIANO’S HUMIDORAND GAME STANDoriginally acquired from a

Sicilian friend of the mobster

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115. Lucky Luciano Photos. Two original 1955 7 x 9 International News press photos of Luciano as a legitimate medical equipment salesman, one with pre-press touch-ups and crop notations. The images are first generation crystal clear. One has the original International News Photos stamp, paper caption sheet and 1955 date stamp. The other has the International News Photos stamp, newspaper clipping and 1955 data stamp. Both have standard newspaper editorial notes and marks, and stamps indicating they came from the San Francisco Examiner’s archives. In very good condition, with touch-ups and marks, and some mild rippling and creasing.

$200 – 400

114. Lucky Luciano Photo. Vintage 1951 8 x 9.75 head-and-shoulders photograph of Luciano from the archives of the San Francisco Examiner. The sharp and clear portrait reproduces a 1936 mug shot showing him neatly dressed in jacket and tie, staring intently forward. Used as the original art for a newspaper picture, the image has standard artistic markups, crop marks and

notes. The back has the newspaper picture, Examiner’s stand and 1951 stamp date. Aforementioned touch-ups and notations, scattered creases and ripples, small hole to background, and a few creases and surface impressions, otherwise very good condition.

$200 – 400

113. Lucky Luciano Photo. Vintage original 1940 6.5 x 8.5 gelatin silver news photo of Luciano handcuffed to a guard after exiting from a van. The photo’s back has the original King Features Syndicate stamp, paper caption sheet and a San Francisco Examiner stamp dated 1940. The image is sharp and clean—a clas-sic gangster shot. In very good condition, with scattered creases and surface marks, and horizontal crazing to finish.

$200 – 300

117. Lucky Luciano Newspaper. Original October 25, 1935 edition of The New York Sun, 17 x 22.5, 46 pages. Front page bears a headline which reads, “Police Question Schultz’s Widow; Body Is Brought Here From New York,” with a small portrait of Luciano stating he is the “object of police search.” In very good condition, with edge and corner chips and tears, uniform light toning, and a bit of paper loss to edges. ‘Dutch’ Schultz had planned on murdering Special Prosecutor Thomas Dewey, with Luciano and his ‘Commis-sion’ ordering Schultz to drop his plans. When plans were put in motion to kill Dewey, Luciano instead arranged Schultz’s murder in a Newark, New Jersey, tavern.

$200 – 400

116. Lucky Luciano Photos. Six vintage 1954-62 gelatin sil-ver news photographs from the archives of the San Francisco Examiner, ranging in size from 7 x 9 up to 8 x 10. They show an older Luciano, clad in a bathrobe, at his home in Italy in 1946 after being deported. Three rather adorably show his pet toy dog sitting on his lap. Three photos are vintage wirephotos by UPI or Associ-ated Press, two are International News Photos originals and one is an original with the San Francisco Examiner’s stamp. All have the appropriate news service stamps, one has a paper caption sheet and two have newspaper clippings. Each back is date stamped. Several also have pre-press touch-ups of crop marks on the images. In very good overall condition.

$200 – 400


118. Lucky Luciano Letter. Mafia boss (1897-1962). By the early 1930s he was the undisputed king of the NYC mafia. Convicted on 62 counts of compulsory prostitution in 1936, his sentence was commuted in 1946 and he was deported to Italy. (It has been alleged that while in prison, he assisted the US military in its plans to invade Sicily in 1943). He died in Naples in 1962 and was buried in New York City. Rare ALS, as a deportee in Italy, signed “Charlie,” two pages, 6 x 8.25, October 21, 1959. Letter to his friend Barney. In full: “I received your last letter. I was glad to hear you both had a nice trip home. Barney I don’t know who this Mike Sands is. I wish you would stop having doubts to our agreement. When you come across another Mike Sands or anybody like that, there is only one word you should say. If you have a contract why don’t you go to him meaning me. Comon [sic] sense would tell you, that if this fellow was on the up and up, he would never come to you. My best regards to Gilda.”

Cloth matted and framed (with the letter permanently affixed to the mat) with the original mailing envelope, addressed in Luciano’s hand, as well as a small portrait, to an overall size of 25 x 13.5.

Several small blocks of staining from old tape or adhesive (not at all affecting the overall legibility of the letter), both pages having rough left edges, with paper loss to top left corner of second page, otherwise fine condition.

“Barney” was Hollywood producer Barnett Glassman, with whom Luciano’s had a contractual “agreement”—a 1959 deal to put to-gether a film based on the Mafia boss’s life. The contract stemmed from a serious cash flow problem that hampered many of his New York business interests. That, coupled with a series of heart attacks, forced him to look for different money-making avenues. Anyone interested in muzzling in on the deal, or claiming to have a contradic-tory arrangement, could see Luciano. “If you have a contract why don’t you go to him meaning me,” he tells his associate. Despite the light, generic tone of the letter’s content, this is more than likely a coded and cryptic message delivered by a crime boss still very much in control, and the mentioned “contract” is no doubt more serious than it appears.

$2,000 – 3,000

“IF YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WHY DON’T YOU GO TO HIM MEANING ME...IF THIS FELLOW WAS ON

THE UP AND UP, HE WOULD NEVER COME TO YOU”

120. Meyer Lansky Letter. ALS signed “Love, Dad,” one page, lightly-lined, 8.25 x 10.75, November 2, 1970. Letter to his daughter Sandra and her husband Vince Lombardo. In full: “It is always a pleasure to hear your voices. I’m sorry that there was a misunderstanding in time. Now that you are on standard time it is 7 hrs difference. I would like to call between 4 & 5 P.M. your time 6 P.M. your time is 1 P.M. time here and that is to [sic] late for me. If Saturday would be a better day than Sunday or any other day you prefer let me know, any is ok with me. Let me know about your local & state election results. Have Buddy give you the names of some of the other FBI titles that they may have on the shelf & ship air mail from the store. If Gary doesn’t have use for his Polaroid camera give it to Ted to bring along. I’m happy to hear Vince that your business is picking up. Sandra don’t mind Gary not writing forcing him to write isn’t good he has to want to write himself otherwise it is just a duty. Good luck to David in his venture. Paul wrote & told me he is start-ing to correspond with you again. That is good. I’m much contented here. As long as you are all well the rest doesn’t matter. The picture of the dog I forgot to put in Ted’s letter so please give it to her the rest are for you.” In fine condition, with some scattered light creases and wrinkles. Accompanied by the original Dan Hotel Tel Aviv mailing envelope addressed in Lansky’s hand

$2,500 – 3,000

119. Meyer Lansky Letter. ALS signed “Love, Dad,” one page, 8 x 11, Dan Hotel Tel Aviv letterhead, October 16, 1970. Letter to his daughter Sandra and her husband Vince Lombardo. In full: “Don’t be concerned that you don’t write every few days. You write once a week or as often as you want. I’m always happy to hear from you. I know your heart is in the right place & that is all that matters. As of today the books haven’t arrived; I do hope you sent them air mail otherwise it will take 7 weeks. Whenever I ask you to send a book let the book store mail it. They know how to pack it. It will also save double work. For the next few weeks I will live here when I decide to change my address you will know before hand. I will call you Sunday Nov. 1 6 P.M. your time if you want to change date or time—let me know. Please let me say hel-lo to Vince. Let Teddy know when I’m calling just in case she may want to add a word. Everything is well with me and I miss you all very much yet you shouldn’t feel sad that I’m away. I trust you are all well & happy. My love to Buddy & the rest of the Family.” In fine condition, with a few lines of mild diagonal toning. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Lansky’s hand.

$1,500 – 2,000



122. Meyer Lansky Betting Slips. Five lined betting slips, filled out in an un-known hand in pencil, each measuring 5.5 x 14, and dated between August 3–August 8. Each of the five slips is labeled at the top, again in an unknown hand, “M. Lansky,” and has between one and six horses listed on them including Sea Biscuit, Teddy the Bold, Even Up, Dutch Uncle, and Schoolmom, with dollar amounts and most likely money won or lost in the adjacent columns. A sheet of Louis Levy lined stationery is also included, with Lansky’s name written at the top in an unknown hand, and his five day totals tallied in the adjacent columns. Rusty paperclip and mark to top edge and mild toning, otherwise fine condition.

$400 – 600

123. Meyer Lansky Stock Receipt. Printed Sulzbacher, Granger, and Co. stock sales receipt, one page, 13.5 x 4, stamp dated January 18, 1936. Receipt issued to Lansky for the purchase of 100 shares of “Int Tel & Tel,” for a total amount of $1625.00 plus a $12.50 commission. In fine condi-tion, with several vertical folds, uniform toning, and a couple stray marks.

$200 – 400

121. Meyer Lansky Hat. Legendary organized crime leader (1902–1983) who headed the notorious “enforcement” syndicate Murder, Inc., which emerged in the early 1930s as successor to the warring Prohibition gangs and the old-line Mafia, and continued to operate into the 1950s. One of Meyer Lansky’s personally-owned and worn hats. Light brown hat, by Dobbs of Fifth Avenue, has a crown which measures approximately 5˝ high with a 2.25 x 2 band around the base of the crown. The area under the crown, above the brown leather sweatband, is a silk lining with the “Dobbs Fifth Avenue New York” logo under the top. A brown ribbon tied in a bow is affixed underneath where the sweatband and silk lining meet. Next to it is a 6 7/8 tag. “Dobbs” and “Mayer & Schmidt, Man’s Shop, Tyler” are imprinted in gilt on the brown leather sweatband. Accompanied by a copy of a notarized letter of authenticity from Lansky’s daughter Sandi. Letter reads, in full: “This letter is to serve as a formal docu-ment regarding the authenticity of my father’s personal worn item. Vintage hat is made by Dobbs Fifth Avenue New Yrok, [sic] dark brown in color and is size 6 7/8. Hat is in good condition but shows some age. Dated to late 1940’s. Hat is in original condition and comes in a Black and White Stetson box. Box is in good condition but does show age. The top of the box is signed by myself and reads: ‘This hat was worn by my dad Meyer Lansky’ Sandi Lansky.” In overall fine condition.

$6,000 – 8,000

LANSKY BETTING SLIPS FOR THE HORSES, INCLUDING SEA BISCUIT

Family-certified hat of

MEYER LANSKY

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124. Bugsy Siegel Stock Certificate. Incredibly scarce DS, signed “Ben Siegel,” one page both sides, 10.5 x 8, April 18, 1947. Nevada Project Corporation stock certificate issued to Louis I. Pokrass for “75 shares of the Common Stock of the Nevada Project Corporation.” Signed at the conclusion as the corpora-tion’s president by Siegel, and countersigned by N. Joseph Ross as the corporation’s secretary. Ross was Siegel’s Beverly Hills Attorney and represented him, in return becoming one of the principal officers of the Flamingo Hotel. Reverse of the certificate is signed by Porkass and Siegel’s New York connection Walter R. Mansfield. Elaborately double suede matted and framed with a color copy of the reverse of the certificate, as well as a descriptive plaque, a portrait of Siegel, and two images of the Flamingo, to an overall size of 30.25 x 39. In very good condition, with several vertical folds, one through a single letter of signature, and scattered staple holes. Document originates from the Louis Pokrass estate.

Louis I. Pokrass was the Vice President of the Nevada Project Corporation and one of four Directors of the Flamingo Hotel. He was closely associated with the Hotel venture and keenly connected to the Costello-Siegel-Lansky group, as well as a member of Murder, Inc. On June 20, 1946, Siegel formed the Nevada Project Corporation of California, naming himself president. He was also the largest principal stock-holder in the operation, which defined everyone else merely as shareholders and William Wilkerson, who had leased the El Rancho Hotel became the legitimate front for Siegel. Wilkerson was eventually coerced into selling all stakes in the Flamingo under threat of death, and went into hiding in Paris. From that point on the Flamingo became syndicate-run.

$20,000 – 30,000

EXTREMELY RARE NEVADA PROJECT CORPORATION STOCK CERTIFICATE issued by the Vegas visionary Bugsy Siegel


126. Bugsy Siegel News-paper. Original June 21, 1947 edi-tion of Cincinnati Times-Star (Ken-tucky Edition). Section two of the paper measures 16.5 x 23, with the headline read-ing “Machine-Gunner Ki l l s Movieland Gang Figure.” Bi-line a n d o p e n i n g of the one col-umn article read “’Bugsie’ Siegel Slain By Shots

Fired Through Window…Gangland bullets late last night snuffed out the life of Benjamin (Bugsie) Siegel, 41-year-old gambler and one one-time public enemy, as he sat quietly in a home here reading a newspaper.” Bottom of the first page bears a grisly image of the slain Siegal slumped over on his couch, an arrow pointing to a bullet hole in the window. Binding holes to left edge and mild toning, a bit heavier to edges, otherwise fine condition.

$200 – 400

125. Bugsy Siegel Program. Original vintage program from the Hollywood Victory Caravan, for a star-studded performance at Loew’s Capital Theatre, in Washington, D. C., on April 30, 1942, 9 x 12, 32 pages. Signed in pencil on the two-page inside gatefold, “Ben Siegel.” Gatefold is also signed and inscribed in blue and black ink to Charles Boyer, some using a nickname of “Beans,” by 14 other celebrities, including Arleen Whelan, Frances Gifford, Marie McDonald, Juanita Stark, Fay McKenzie, Katherine Booth, and Elyse Knox.

Of the 24 Hollywood stars who performed at this event, 22 of them have also signed and inscribed to Boyer next to their respective images throughout the program. Signers are: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Bert Lahr, Cary Grant, Groucho Marx, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Desi Arnaz, Joan Bennett, Joan Blondell, James Cagney, Claudette Colbert, Jerry Colonna, Charlotte Greenwood, Olivia deHavilland, Frances Langford, Frank McHugh, Ray Middleton, Merle Oberon, Pat O’Brien, Eleanor Powell, and Rise Stevens. Scattered creasing and handling wear, otherwise fine condition.

$4,000 – 6,000

127. Bugsy Siegel Newspaper. Original June 21, 1947, home edition of the Cleveland Press, 16 x 23, 14 pages. Headline in upper left states “Bugsey Siegel, Gambler Friend of Raft, Slain, Police Indicate Rival Gangster Was Assassin.” Article also has a photo of Siegel and Raft together. Central horizontal fold, uniform toning, a couple creases, and scattered paper loss and tears to edges, otherwise very good condition.

$200 – 400

SIEGEL JOINS A CAVALCADE OF STARS INCLUDING LAUREL AND HARDY, GROUCHO, GRANT, AND LAHR FOR WARTIME RELIEF

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128. Mob Accountant Julius E. Rosengard Tax Returns Ar-chive. Accountant for the ‘Mob.’ Accounting records of tax returns filed by Rosengard on behalf of his clients. Records consist of nine 8.5 x 14 ledger pages, three pages each for the years 1936, 1940, and 1941, with over 100 names listed on each set of sheets. Documents list the clients’ names, with columns for their state and federal returns, giving the dates of when they were filed. Notable names on the sheets include: Bugsy Siegel, Vito Genovese, Meyer Lansky, Joseph Doto (Joey Adonis), Phil Buccola, Joseph Lombardo, Michael Rocco (Mickey the Wiseguy), Hyman Abrams, Mario Ingraffia, Louis Fox, Sam Cufari (Big Nose Sam), and Joseph Hotze. Rosengard has initialed some of the entries himself. In fine condition, with expected toning, creasing, and handling wear, and rusty paperclip marks and impressions to the top edges. Interesting to note that some of the notable names, including Siegel, Genovese, and Lansky, have blank spaces indicating no returns were filed.

$600 – 800

129. Mickey Co-hen Signed Photo. Gangster (1913–1976) born Meyer Cohen who was a trusted associate of racketeer Bugsy Siegel. Af-ter Siegel’s death in 1947, Cohen acquired Siegel’s West Coast gambling interests and lived extravagantly. After two convictions for income tax viola-tions and 14 years in prison, Cohen pro-nounced himself a law-abiding citizen. Vintage pearl-finish 7.25 x 9.25 full-length photo of Cohen from his days as a prize-fighter, signed and inscribed in fountain pen “To my good friend ‘Mary’ and ‘Red’ wishing you the best of luck and success. Mickey Cohen.” Double matted and framed to an overall size of 14.5 x 16.5. In very good condition, with a noticeable vertical crease through portion of inscription, other scattered creases and ripples, and some mild silvering. Cohen fought from 1930–1933. It was during a 1931 match against featherweight champ Tommy Paul he earned his moniker ‘Gangster Mickey Cohen.’

$400 – 600

130. Carlo Gambino Check. Endorsed S. G. S. Associates check, 8.25 x 3, filled out in another hand and signed by George Schiller and Henry Saltzstein, pay-able to Carlo Gambino for $500.00, December 4, 1964. Endorsed on the back in blue ink, “Carlo Gambino.” In fine con-dition, with expected cancellation marks and holes.

$200 – 400

FUTURE MOB BOSS FROM HIS TIME IN THE SQUARED-CIRCLE


131. Mob Accountant Julius E. Rosengard Archive. Huge archive consisting of hundreds of pages relating to various operations and activities, including betting and tax information, most to or from mob accountant Julius Rosengard. Included with the papers are six of Rosengard’s personal appointment books, from 1928 and 1930–1933. All of the appointment books have many appointments, numbers, and notes (mostly in pencil) in several different hands, most likely a secretary of Rosengard, with several mentions of the Cocoanut Grove and Charles ‘King’ Solomon, including an appointment with Rosengard just two weeks before Solomon was killed in the men’s room of Boston’s Cotton Club. Also included is correspondence from various other attorneys and companies, including Frank J. Albus; letters and receipts pertaining to the Paramount Theatre in Haverhill, MA; an illegal tax refund claim filed on behalf of the Cocoanut Grove after a violation found by the Prohibition Unit of the federal government; deposit slips; balance sheets of racing horse owner Howard M. Stack; tax forms; a letter to Boston Red Sox Douglas Taitt regarding the Red Sox and two boxers; stock certificates for the Crescent Kennel Club; a letter from Boston City Councilman David Brackman, hinting at some sort of payment; several checks from Anna Lansky; and hundreds of other pieces of correspondence and documents.

$4,000 – 6,000

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134. NY Gangsters: Original 1930s AP Photos. Five original 1931 Associated Press photographs, four 10 x 8 and one 11 x 7. Four of the photos show the aftermath of a violent police chase of payroll robbers in New York, with three photos of the bullet-riddled taxi used in the getaway, with the body of one of the robbers lying by the passenger-side door; a slightly larger overhead view of the scene; and one photo of New York police examining the body of a gangster shot execution style along with two others. The back of each photo has an original Associated Press stamp and paper caption sheet, along with a San Francisco Examiner’s stamp dated 1931. In overall very good condition.

$200 – 300

135. NY Gangsters: Original 1930s AP Photos. Three vintage 1931 gelatin silver International News Photos from a deadly August 1931 Bronx payroll robbery and pursuit, one 8 x 6 and two 10 x 8, with two showing the route of a police chase of two payroll bandits in a taxicab which resulted in the deaths of two policemen, a bystander baby and the robbers, and one photo of three officers looking over some pistols and ammunition used during the pursuit. The back of each photo has the original International News Photos stamp, paper caption sheet and 1931 date stamp. In overall very good condition.

$200 – 300

133. Frank Costello and Mickey Cohen Photos. Five vintage 1950s unsigned gelatin silver news photo-graphs: 7 x 9 AP original 1951 photo of Costello with his lawyer George Wolf arriv-ing to the US court house in New York to testify, the back

stamp-dated February 13, 1951 and with the original paper caption sheet; a 9 x 7 original 1951 Acme News photo of Costello and Wolf preparing to testify, the back with the vintage ACME stamp, paper caption sheet and stamp-dated March 20, 1951; an original 1951 10 x 8 photo of Costello and Wolf, the back with a New York Daily news stamp and paper caption sheet and 1951 stamp date; a 1958 8 x10 Associated Press wirephoto of Cohen as he refuses to testify at the coroner’s inquest into the death of Johnny Stompanato who was stabbed to death by the daughter of Hollywood starlet Lana Turner, the back having an AP stamp and 1958 date stamp; a 1958 8 x 10 wirephoto showing Cohen and Johnny Stompanato’s brother Carmine arranging for Johnny’s burial, the photo’s back having the AP stamp and 1958 stamp date. The photos have various wear, including edge and corner dings and a few chips and paper waves. Overall fine.

$300 – 400

132. Joseph Bonanno Greeting Cards. Fourteen greeting and holiday cards sent from Bonanno to his companion Theresa D’Antonia (who he became associated with after his wife Fay Bonanno died), all written during the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Eleven are signed “JB,” with the two others signed “Zio,” which means Uncle in Italian. One of the earliest cards comes from the federal prison in Springfield, Missouri, complete with the hand-addressed mailing envelope, with Bonanno writing his name and prisoner number in the return address area. The remaining cards also come with their hand-addressed enve-lopes. Also included is a color glossy 5 x 4 candid photo of Bonanno and D’Antonia posing together in 1998, as well as COAs from his daughter-in-law, Rosalie Bonanno. In fine overall condition.

$400 – 600


TERMS AND CONDITIONSGeneral StatementsAll bidders who attend the sale must register and obtain a bidder card/number in order to participate in the auction. Absentee/tele-phone bidders must register by filling out and signing an absentee bid sheet and/or pre-registration form. Both forms are located online and in this catalog. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser and shall be considered to be the owner of record at the fall of the hammer. RR Auction charges a 20% premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold. Please note that a 2.5% convenience fee will be added to purchases processed by credit card or PayPal. For more detailed information refer to the Payment section below. Bidding on any lot indicates your acceptance of all terms listed below.

Bidder Registration Live AuctionProspective buyers who have not previously bid or consigned with RR Auction should bring government-issued photo identification (such as a driving license, national identity card, or passport). Buyers should register for a numbered bidding paddle at least 30 minutes before the start of the sale.

New Bidder RegistrationBidders without a bidder number must apply for one before they can participate in this auction. Fill out a New Bidder Application at www.RRAuction.com, or request an application by mail or fax. Your bidder/paddle number can only be issued after all information has been verified.

BiddingThe auctioneer accepts bids from those present in the salesroom, from telephone bidders, live internet bidders, or by absentee writ-ten bids left with RR Auction in advance of the auction. RR Auction reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect a consignor’s interest. An opening bid can be no less than half of the lot’s low estimate.

Bidding Increments (for all forms of bidding) Current Bidding Price Correct Increment $20-100 $10$100-500 $20$500-1000 $50$1,000-2,000 $100$2,000-5,000 $250$5,000-10,000 $500$10,000+ $1,000 (or at auctioneer’s discretion)

Absentee BidsRR Auction will attempt to execute an absentee bid at the lowest possible increment while taking into account a lot’s reserve. Absentee bids submitted on “no reserve” lots will, in the absence of a higher bid, be executed at approximately 50% of the low estimate. The auctioneer may execute absentee bids from the rostrum, clearly identifying these as absentee bids. Absentee bid forms are available in the catalog, at RR Auction, or online at www.RRAuction.com. RR Auction offers absentee bidding as a convenience to our clients, but will not be responsible for errors or failures to execute bids.

Telephone BidsTelephone bids will be accepted for lots no later than 24 hours prior to the live sale. RR Auction will only allow scheduled telephone calls during the live sale on lots with a low estimate of $5,000 and above and must be arranged in advance. RR Auction offers telephone bidding as a convenience to our clients, but will not be responsible for errors or failures to execute bids.

Pre-auction ViewingPre-auction viewing is available by appointment at our offices, and at The Crowne Plaza in Nashua, NH, on September 29 (10:00 am–5:00 pm) and September 30 (8:00 am–10:00 am). RR Auction experts are available to give advice and condition statements at viewings.

EstimatesEstimates are based upon recent auction results for comparable property, condition, rarity, quality, and provenance. The buyer should not rely upon estimates at representation or prediction of actual selling prices. Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Pre-mium, and are subject to revision.

ReservesCertain lots are subject to a confidential reserve. The reserve is the minimum price a consignor will accept, and will not exceed the lot’s low estimate.The auctioneer may also execute bids on behalf of the the seller up to the amount of the reserve. The auctioneer will not specifically identify bids placed on behalf of the seller. Under no circumstances will the auctioneer place bids on behalf of the seller at or above the reserve.

Condition StatementsEach item in the catalog is described with a statement indicating its overall condition. The condition of the items we offer generally falls into the following range: good, very good, fine, very fine, and excellent. Treated as a scale of 1 to 5, good describes an item that has as many as several flaws, which are described in detail; excellent describes an item whose condition and appearance may be regarded as flawless and superior in every respect. Most of the items we offer are in fine condition, meaning that there are no serious flaws. While we make every effort to describe flaws that materially affect appearance and value, we generally do not specify minor or routine flaws, such as (but not limited to) pencil or secre-tarial notations, mailing folds to letters, normal aging to paper, or the effects of normal handling. We encourage prospective bidders to study each item closely and to contact us with specific inquiries regarding condition.

Group LotsIn descriptions of group lots of two or more items, every effort is made to mention any obvious flaws. Bidders should note that group lot condition is given as a general statement or as a range, and that specific flaws to single items within the group may be omitted in the interest of catalog space. Questions about group lots, as well as about specific items within a group, should be addressed before the close of the auction to Stacey Jordan ([email protected]).

80 | September 30, 2012 | (603) 732-4280

Successful BidsThe highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser and shall be considered to be the owner of record at the fall of the hammer. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer will have absolute discretion in settling such disputes. Successful bidders agree to abide by payment terms described in the Buyer’s Premium and Payment sections.

Buyer’s PremiumRR Auction charges a 20% premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold. Please note that a 2.5% convenience fee will be added to purchases processed by credit card or PayPal. For more detailed information refer to the Payment section below.Note: if you are bidding through Artfact or iCollector you will be subject to an additional 3% fee.

Winners NotificationAll winners will be notified by phone, fax, or email by 5:00 pm on the day after the auction closes.

PaymentCredit cards and PayPal are only accepted up to $5,000 for non-live participants. Make checks or money orders payable to R&R Auction Company, LLC. Payment for non-credit card orders must be sent upon winning notification. Personal and business checks are also accepted, and orders paid via this method on winnings over $500 will ship 7 business days after receipt. Returned checks will be subject to a $25 fee. Orders paid by cash, bank check, or money order are shipped upon receipt of payment.

PayPal payments can be sent to: [email protected]

Wire transfers should use the following:Account number: 003880291609Company name: R & R Auction Company, LLCRouting/Transit (ABA) Number: 0260-0959-3SWIFT Address: BOFAUS3N

Note: if you are bidding through Artfact or iCollector you will be subject to an additional 3% fee.

Shipping Charges and Oversized ItemsOrders are shipped Federal Express.

We do not send orders to PO Boxes; a street address is required.Insurance is added to each invoice at the rate of 55 cents per $100 value (in the US). Postage and handling are added to each invoice; within the United States, rates are:

Order Total Shipping CostUp to $100 $10.00$101-$500 $15.00$501-$1,000 $20.00$1,001-$3,000 $35.00$3,000-$10,000 $45.00Over $10,000 $100.00

Please note that additional shipping charges apply to items designated as oversized. Actual cost will depend upon size, weight, and shipping destination. We will advise on foreign post-age charges. If you would like to know your approximate shipping costs, please contact [email protected] before you bid.

ReturnsEvery item is cataloged with the intent of accuracy. Improperly described items must be returned within three days of receipt. Please call us before returning any items. A merchandise credit will be issued in the case of a subjective, unresolvable dispute over condition. All autographed material is guaranteed without time limit. Returns of non-autographed items must be made within thirty days of the closing date of this auction; returns after that date will not be accepted for any reason.

PostponementRR Auction reserves the right to postpone this auction for a reason-able period of time as the result of any significant event (i.e. an Act of God, etc). In this unlikely event, bidders and consignors will be notified of the new closing date.

Matted and Framed ItemsWe do not remove items from mats or frames. The given dimen-sions of items housed in a frame and/or mat indicate the sight-size only. Photographs used with matted and framed items are not sub-ject to description or condition statements, nor are they considered a reason for return. Condition references only the item and not its mat or frame, and our terms of return apply only to the primary item and not the matting and framing. Any item that is removed from its frame cannot be returned. Returns are only accepted only in the unlikely event of an authenticity problem, or if the description of the item is incorrect.

FirearmsThe auctioneer complies with all federal and state rules and regula-tions relating to the purchase, registration, and shipping of fire-arms. The purchaser is required to provide appropriate documents and the payment of associated fees, if any, and is responsible for providing a shipping address that is suitable for the receipt of fire-arm. No modern firearms will be transferred the day of the live sale unless prior arrangements have been made. All modern firearms will be shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Bidders should be familiar with their state and local laws as RR Auction will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to, their state of residence. RR Auction does not warranty the safety of the firearms in this sale, therefore we recommend that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use.

Agreement to TermsBy placing a bid or otherwise participating in the auction, you are accepting all terms and conditions described above. You are agreeing to the alternative dispute of arbitration. Arbitration replaces the right to go to court, including the right to a jury trial. If any dispute arises regarding payment, authenticity, grading, description, provenance, or any other matter pertaining to the Auction, the Bidder or a participant in the Auction and/or R&R agree that the dispute shall go to binding arbitration in accor-dance with the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Asso-ciation. A.A.A. Arbitration shall be conducted under the provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act with locale in New Hampshire. Any claim made by a bidder has to presented within one (1) year or it is barred. The prevailing party may be awarded reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. An award granted in arbitration is enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

5 Route 101A, Suite 5 • Amherst, NH 03031Telephone: (603) 732-4280

Fax: (603) 732-4288www.RRAuction.com

If you will be attending our sale for the first time and would like to expedite the registration process, you may fill out this form and forward it to our office prior to the sale and we will place your information on file.

If you hold a Federal Firearms License or a Curios & Relics License, please include an original signed copy with this form. If you choose to fax your Registration Form, please bring a copy with you to the sale.

Name _________________________________________________ Email ___________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________________ State ____________ Zip ___________

Telephone _____________________________________ Fax _____________________________________

Driver’s License Number________________________________________________ Issuing State _________

What associations do you hold membership with? (optional) Manuscript Society UACC PADA

Visa MasterCard Discover

Credit Card Number* __________________________________________ Expiration Date _______________*Credit Card information is to secure bid only.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

Signature _______________________________________________ Date __________________________

I have read, fully understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Sale set forth in this catalog. It is recommended that you telephone us after mailing or faxing bids for confirmation of receipt.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT www.RRAuction.com!

5 Route 101A, Suite 5 • Amherst, NH 03031Telephone: (603) 732-4280

Fax: (603) 732-4288www.RRAuction.com

Please check one:

ABSENTEE BIDS TELEPHONE BIDS __________________________

Mail / Fax absentee bids are due by 7 PM ET Saturday, September 29. Please call our office should you wish to arrange a live phone bid the day of the auction. No incoming calls or bids will be taken on the day of the auc-tion. Absentee phone bids can be made by calling our offices at (603) 732–4280 up to 5 PM ET on Saturday, September 29.

Name _________________________________________________ Email ___________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________________ State ____________ Zip ___________

Telephone _____________________________________ Fax _____________________________________

Lot Number Max Bid AmountLot Title

Signature _______________________________________________ Date __________________________

ABSENTEE / TELEPHONE BID FORM

It is recommended that you telephone us after mailing or faxing bids for confirmation of receipt. I have read, fully understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Sale set forth in this catalog. Please place the following bids on my behalf in ac-cordance with the Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Telephone bidders: Please give us the number to call the morning of the sale

$106,000

$92,865

$59,134

$47,652

$39,381

To be a part of our Fall 2012 Space Auction, contact Bob Eaton at [email protected].

We’ll get you the right price

Like NASA,we want people

with the right stuff

We recently sold General Santa Anna’s papers and field commands

for $183,500. Last year alone we exceeded $13,000,000 in sales. One

look at our monthly color catalogue illustrates why we are regarded as

one of the most trusted sources of exceptionally rare manuscripts and

artifacts in the U.S. — each authenticated and backed by our 100%

guarantee. If you’d like to learn more about our 30-year history or, better

yet, take part in it, visit rrauction.com.

we occasionally

historyselling

Licensed auctioneer:Carla Eaton, NH license #3029

$30.00