Description:

Bonanno Joe

PSA/DNA slabbed check graded “VG-EX 4” inscribed overall and signed by Italian-American crime boss Joseph Bonanno Sr. as “Joe Bonanno” in blue ball point pen. Arizona Bank check #1731 in the amount of $215 was issued to the Catalina Savings & Loan Association on September 12, 1978. The check background shows the Rocky Mountains; a cartouche at left depicts a brightly colored Hopi dancer. Bearing several internal office stamps verso. In very good to near fine condition, the check measuring 6” x 2.75” and the slab measuring 9.5” x 4.625”.

 

Joseph Bonanno Jr. (1905-2002) was a Sicilian born American mafioso. The 26-year-old Bonanno became a crime head after his Brooklyn mentor was murdered at the command of Charles “Lucky” Luciano (1897-1962). The Bonanno gang operated highly profitable mostly white-collar rackets under his leadership until the 1950s.

 

Bonanno increasingly centered his personal and business affairs in Tucson, Arizona after he fell out of favor with other “Family” heads and even his own family members during the so-called Bonanno War. This check dates from the period between when his eldest son Salvatore “Bill” Bonnano (1932-2008) published a tell-all book “Honor Thy Father” in 1971, and the publication of Bonanno’s own autobiography “A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno” in 1983.

 

A slabbed and graded check dating from the golden years of “Joe Bananas”!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000