Description:

Gotti John

John Gotti ALS from Marion, IL Federal Penitentiary: "Don't forget to have a Christmas martini for me"

 

1p ALS and companion envelope inscribed and 2x signed by New York City crime boss John Gotti (1940-2002), first as "Johnny" at bottom of letter, and second as "Gotti, #18261-033" in the sender's address section of the envelope. Written in bold script on white blue-lined paper measuring 8.375" x 11". In near fine condition, with expected paper folds. The envelope is addressed in Gotti's hand to "Barbara De Cicco / 152 Gateway Drive / Staten Island, N.Y.  10304-4441." Envelope bearing a cancelled 33 cent stamp and postmarked from Carbondale, Illinois on December 16, 1999.

 

With original spelling and punctuation. The spacing has been modified for greater legibility. In part:

 

"Barbara,

 

Sorry I haven't written in awhile - its not because you weren't thought of - I've been logging on frequent flyer miles with these trips back and forth to Springfield…As for me, I feel Great. The tests that I had taken last week, 'Fiber optic', enhanced M.R.I. all came back negative as I knew they would. I've gained half a dozen pounds back and am now 168, a Good fighting weight…

 

By the way Barbara, I sent out those Christmas cards early because I figured I would be spending a month or two in the 'box' at Springfield and wouldn't be able to send any at all. As it was I only spent 1 1/2 days there - unusual, if not crazy - and so I hurried for nothing. As for my family they are all fine, just the usual everyday nonsense…I guess that's about it for now.

 

Give your father, brother, and nephew my love and wishes for the best Holiday season ever - As for you, Gina, and Reynold all your days should be like Christmas. Take care and stay strong. My best to Mary.

 

With Love,

Johnny

 

P.S. Don't forget to have a Christmas martini for me - ."

 

John Gotti, then serving a life sentence without parole in the U.S. Penitentiary at Marion, Illinois, wrote family friend Barbara DeCicco in December 1999. Gotti was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and treated at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. The hospital was over 300 miles west of the penitentiary located in southern Illinois, which prompted Gotti's joke about frequent flyer miles. At this point, Gotti was optimistic about his medical prognosis and happy not to be kept in the "box" at Springfield.

 

Barbara DeCicco was the daughter and cousin of Gambino crime family leaders George DeCicco (1929-2014) and Frank DeCicco (1935-1986) respectively. George DeCicco was a capo in the Gambino network while his nephew Frank DeCicco served as Gotti's second-in-command. In April 1986, Frank DeCicco was killed on a Brooklyn sidewalk by an improvised explosive device planted under his Buick.

 

John Gotti expertly navigated New York City's criminal underworld until his 1992 conviction for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice. Having served as a soldier of the Gambino crime syndicate from his teens, Gotti steadily rose in the ranks and was elected don in January 1986 after arranging the assassination of his predecessor Paul Castellano. Gotti managed the organization's network of profitable criminal businesses: pornography, prostitution, drugs, gambling, predatory loans, and extortion. The "Dapper Don" was incarcerated, mostly in solitary confinement, in federal prisons and hospitals until his death in 2002 at age 61.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide 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.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$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