This Thing of Ours

Organized Crime Historical Archive Primary Source Links Only! x est. 01.17.26

[organizedcrimearchive]

"23 glossy photos of Capone, lying in his $2000 bronze casket at the Philbrick Funeral Home, surrounded by large floral displays." x

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Crime Scene Aftermath Photos of Prolific Organized Crime Players

Benjamin Siegel (1947) | Carmine Galante (1979)

Vincenzo Colosimo (1920) | Thomas Bilotti (1985)

Umberto Anatasio (1957) | Angelo Bruno (1980)

Arthur Flegenheimer (1935) | Joseph Colombo (1970)

Salvatore Giancana (1975) | Salvatore Maranzano (1931)

[organizedcrimearchive]

"The mafia! What's that? A piece of cheese?" Gerlando Alberti x

'Alleged mobster Gerlando Alberti, wanted nationwide by the Palermo Police Headquarters, captured in a recent photograph.' [17 / 7 / 71]

[organizedcrimearchive]

Adolescent Mugshots of High-Level U.S. Organized Crime Figures

[organizedcrimearchive]

The Hood in Our Neighborhood | Bob Greene (Newsday LI, 1965) x

While Sonny was already widely known in law enforcement circles for his ability to get things done, it wasn't until this 1965 article from Bob Greene that John 'Sonny' Franzese became U.S. Public Enemy No. 1.

According to Bob Greene's son, Bob Jr., immediately following his father's publication of this story, he received several death threats at home. At 12 years old, he remembers his father telling him, "Listen, if you're kidnapped, we're not going to pay the ransom... It's not going to make a difference. The objective is to do everything you can to get away because once they get you they are not going to let you go." x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Slot Machine Collection of Chicago Outfit Boss Joseph Aiuppa x x x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Photo Album of Meyer Lansky's 1972 Trip to Israel x

"I'm not a threat to Jews or society... I'm a Jew, and I want to go to Israel just as any other Jew would." x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Al Capone's 3-Page Alcatraz Prison Letter to Son x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Medicinal Liquor Prescription Forms Issued during Prohibition Era x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Teamsters Pres. Jimmy Hoffa 1957 Pinback Button x

"Scarce, original circa 1957 pinback button for American labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Made by Allied Printing of New York, the button measures 2.25˝ in diameter and features upper bold red text, “I’m a Friend of,” above a portrait image of “Jimmy Hoffa.” The reverse bears a “Union Label” stamp."

[organizedcrimearchive]

Betting Record Notebooks for Chicago Front-Boss Sam Giancana x

[organizedcrimearchive]

Elliot Ness Letter with Illegal 'Cotton Club' Roulette Lammer Chips x

A handwritten letter [c. 1931] to 'Doc,' ostensibly Dr. Arthur Hagedorn, chairman and physician of the Cleveland Boxing Commission, in full:

"I thought these chips might be appropriate as a curio in the 'Cellar Hagedorn.' These were seized by me on the last raid ever made on the Capone mob just before the Al Capone trial. They were an adjunct to a luxuriously furnished gambling room in connection with a night club called 'The Cotton Club' operated by Capone mob. Merry Xmas." Elliot

[organizedcrimearchive]

Bank Checks Signed by Infamous American Mafia Figures x x x x x x

[rauko]

"There are no tough guys in this life. All the so-called tough guys are in the cemetery. Be a nice guy, a respectful guy." Sonny Franzese

[organizedcrimearchive]

"What we done to New York is unbelievable... I wasn't a guy that was afraid, you know. Don't forget, I fought everybody. I was a good soldier... I never hurt nobody that was innocent." Sonny Franzese [1917—2020] | Newsday x

[organizedcrimearchive]

"I’m not in the mood for the toys, or games, or kidding, okay? I’m not in the mood for clans. I’m not in the mood for gangs. I’m not in the mood for none'a that stuff there. This is gonna be a' Cosa Nostra 'til I die. Be it an hour from now, be it tonight, or a hundred years from now when I’m in jail! It’s gonna be a' Cosa Nostra..." audio

John Gotti | FBI Ravenite Wiretaps | January 17th, 1990 [183A-3507]

[organizedcrimearchive]

John Gotti Letter to Barbara DeCicco from Marion USP (03/05/98)

"...There's no shortage of aggravation, but it seems the aggravation reacts like a tonic on me as I feel like a youngster. I’m sure you’re aware of the phoney situation with my son John. I won’t go into it in this letter, other than to say he’ll win and be fine…I’m glad that your holidays went well. I’m also sure it was very hard with you and family missing your Mother and Sister so. As for my Son Frank, it is by far my biggest heartache–and, no, I don’t mind that you mention it, and I thank you for the wonderful thoughts about him, as he’s in my thoughts daily. And I find your letter anything but morbid…"

𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 ℒℴ𝓋ℯ, 𝓙𝓸𝓱𝓷𝓷𝔂