Lot 210

Meyer Lansky's "L" Monogrammed Knife! Ex. Lansky Family with Provenance from his Grandson!

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Meyer Lansky's "L" Monogrammed Knife! Ex. Lansky Family with Provenance from his Grandson!

Estimate: $600 - $700

Starting Bid: $200

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Meyer Lansky
n.p., n.d.
Meyer Lansky's "L" Monogrammed Knife! Ex. Lansky Family with Provenance from his Grandson!
Tableware

Meyer Lansky's "L" monogrammed dining knife, featuring a refined and highly decorative design. The handle terminates in a stylized monogram, "L," engraved within a framed cartouche at the base, consistent with personalized tableware from a private household of distinction. The knife blade is of classic form, showing expected age-related patina and light surface wear from use. The knife measures 9.675" long.

Provenance: Meyer Lansky's favorite grandson, Gary Rapoport. Accompanying the piece is a provenance certificate signed by Gary Rapoport, John Reznikoff and Luke Pascal. Also included in the unique lot is a copy of an accompanying image depicting Meyer Lansky dining around a formally arranged table.

Meyer Lansky (1902-1983) was a central figure in American organized crime and a key architect of the National Crime Syndicate. Closely associated with figures such as Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Lansky played a significant role in the development of organized gambling operations in the United States and abroad. Often referred to as the "Mob's Accountant," Lansky was known for his financial acumen and influence behind the scenes of major criminal enterprises.

Objects from Lansky's personal life, particularly those used in intimate domestic settings such as dining, offer a rare perspective into the quieter side of a man whose public legacy is defined by secrecy and power. A piece such as this knife may have been present during private dinners where conversations ranged from family matters to discreet discussions of business and alliances, bridging the gap between everyday life and the complex world in which Lansky operated.

Beyond its function as a dining utensil, this knife can be seen as a subtle symbol of the coded and deliberate nature of interactions within Lansky's circle. Just as meals provided a setting for nourishment, they also created an environment where trust was tested, loyalties were affirmed, and decisions with far-reaching consequences were quietly set into motion. In such settings, even ordinary objects like this knife became silent witnesses to moments where influence, strategy, and power were carefully negotiated behind closed doors.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9.675" long
  • Medium: Tableware

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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