Lansky, Meyer (1902-83) Polish-born organized crime figure. As a young man, he became a friend and partner-in-crime with Bugsy Siegel and with Lucky Luciano created a gambling empire that stretched to the Caribbean. Lansky was the money guy who was content to stay in the background and let Luciano get the publicity. Autograph Letter Signed ("Meyer"), 1½ pages on ruled paper, n.p. (Miami), Mar. 1, 1979. To Al Smiley, mobster who was a member of Murder, Inc., founded by Lansky and Siegel, and famous as the guy who was at Bugsy Siegel's Beverly Hills home on June 20, 1947 when Siegel got "whacked" by the mob because of his on-going losses at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Lansky writes a personal letter to Smiley after meeting his daughter Gaye. In part: "…Never have I met a child that resemble [sic] the parents as much as Gaye does. If she was a boy (Gaye) she would be you. When she said 'you guys' I was reliving again. I just flipped. I saw so much of you in her. The little that I saw her impressed me much and I'm not quick on forming opinions….for the first time in my life a young or old lady ever lifted my dinner check. I know the apple doesn't fall far from the tree….You deserve credit for raising your children in the fashion you did with all the problems you always had hanging over your head. If nothing else in life has given you hope in living, I know the children did and will continue to do….We are looking forward to visit you…in the summer. Gaye gave us to understand that her sister may come to Florida. Please, give us at least two days notice….Take care, all the best. Your friend Meyer." It is extremely rare to find a letter written by one crime figure to another. Even rarer: this is the only Lansky letter to come to auction.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
Criminals
