BOSTON, MASS.- An exceptionally rare Al Capone letter written from prison sold for $62,500 according to Boston-based
RR Auction.
The three-page handwritten letter was signed “Love & Kisses, Your Dear Dad Alphonse Capone #85,” his prison number. The lengthy and affectionate letter to his son, written while imprisoned at Alcatraz for tax evasion. In part: “Well Son, here is your dear Dad, with a letter for you, and pray to God, it will find you, in perfect health. Junior keep up the way you are doing, and don’t let nothing get you down.
Capone added: “Well heart of mine, sure hope things come our way for next year, then I’ll be there in your arms, and maybe that sure will be a happy feeling for Maggie and You. Well Sonny keep up your chin, and don’t worry about your dear Dad.”
In this remarkable, intimate letter penned from prison, Capone reveals the particulars of his day-to-day life at Alcatraz and shares his enthusiasm for the mandola, which is similar to a mandolin.
After being transferred to Alcatraz in 1934, Capone lobbied the warden for a year before prisoners were allowed musical instruments. Upon receiving permission, Capone had his family send top-of-the-line guitars, banjos, and music charts to the prison.
“It’s an exceedingly rare personal letter showing the softer side of the notorious mobster,” said Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. The letter was purchased by a collector from the Chicago area who wishes to remain anonymous.
Highlights from the sale include, but are not limited by:
• Bonnie and Clyde letter to former gang member Raymond Hamilton, sold for $43,750.
• Lee Harvey Oswald’s ‘Fair Play for Cuba Committee’ signed card, sold for $21,250.
• Dave Scott’s Apollo 17 Flown Robbins Medal, sold for $68,750.
• Michael Collins’s Flown Apollo 11 Robbins Medal, sold for $32,500.
The Remarkable Rarities live auction from RR Auction took place on Monday, September 26, 2016, at The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, MA.
