Fruit importer considered by many the first Mafia don in the US and an originator of organized crime (1843–1891). He was one of many suspects accused of the murder of New Orleans police chief David Hennessy, and after being acquitted at trial, Macheca and ten others were lynched by an enraged crowd. Rare ALS signed “Jos. Macheca,” one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, New Orleans, April 8, 1878. Letter to Julius Weil. In part: “In regards to oranges will say it was one of your back orders which we did not fill on account of none in the market at the time, we assure you that oranges sold as high as $5.95 to $6.00 for unrepacked fruit. We are sorry to have you complain at the price, we assure you it is cheap.” Partial edge separations to mailing folds, scattered tears and paper loss to borders (barely affecting any of the writing), and overall mirroring to ink, otherwise very good condition; the letter is boldly penned and eminently legible. Few if any Macheca letters or documents are known in private hands, as most are either secretarially signed or housed at the University of New Orleans. RR Auction COA.
