Gangster Al Capone’s possessions sell for more than B104.3mn at auction
Some of the items sold at an auction of Al Capone’s possessions showed a tender side — like a colour photo of his wife, Mae Capone, in a blue dress, holding a terrier. Others were a stark reminder of the violence he incited — like his “favourite” Colt .45 pistol.
Altogether, those two items and more than 170 others sold for US$3,143,759 (104.3 million baht) last week at an auction hosted by Witherell’s Auction House in Sacramento, California. The final sum demonstrated a continuing interest in a mob boss who died more than seven decades ago.
Capone’s “favourite” pistol was the event’s highest-priced item, according to the auction house. The winning bid was $860,000, and the purchaser, whose name was not released, will pay $1,040,600 for it, including a 21% buyer’s premium. Brian Witherell, a co-founder of Witherell’s, said the auction house had anticipated that the gun would be the top-selling item because it had received several six-figure bids after the auction was announced in August.
“The final selling price, along with the record number of registered bidders, completely exceeded our expectations,” Witherell said in a statement. “It really speaks to the notoriety and allure of Al Capone, who is more widely known today than he was 100 years ago.”
Another gun, Capone’s 1908 hammerless .38 calibre semi-automatic pistol, with a blue finish and wood grips, was the next most expensive item. The winning bid was $200,000, and the buyer’s premium made the purchase price $242,000.
Capone is believed to have been behind the deaths of more than 200 people. © 2021 THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY