Al Capone letter written from prison sells for $62,500 at auction
An Al Capone letter, affectionately written to his son in 1934 while the mobster was in Alcatraz, sold for $62,500 through RR Auction recently.
BOSTON – An exceptionally rare Al Capone letter written from prison sold for $62,500 according to Boston-based RR Auction.
Reveals 'Softer' Side of Capone
The three-page handwritten letter was signed “Love & Kisses, Your Dear Dad Alphonse Capone #85,” his prison number. Writing the letter while imprisoned at Alcatraz for tax evasion, Capone writes quite a bit in a seldom-seen affectionate manner, to his son. 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.”
The Al Capone letter also reads, “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.”
Al Capone Letter Provides Insight into Alcatraz
In this remarkable, intimate Al Capone letter penned from prison, the man reveals the particulars of his day-to-day life at Alcatraz and shares his enthusiasm for the mandola, which is similar to a mandolin.
Capone lobbied the warden at Alcatraz for a year to allow inmates access to 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.
Additional Highlights
• 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, Sept. 26, 2016, at The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
For more information, visit the RR Auction website at www.rrauction.com.
