Remarkable original Mafia file prepared by the United States Treasury Department's Bureau of Narcotics, circa late 1950s-early 1960s, containing biographical data on 843 individuals believed to be Mafia members or associates. An introductory annotation reads: "Interspersed among the Mafiosi in this book are some non-members. They have been included because of their important criminal alliances with leading Mafiosi." The files are held within a 9.25 x 9 binder, stamped "MAFIA" on the front, marked in white inside the front cover, "13," of what is believed to be a total of 50 copies printed. The pages are separated by tabs for each state, with the "New York" section taking up nearly half of the binder. The Mafiosi are thoroughly documented, listing aliases, physical descriptions, localities frequented, family background, criminal associates, criminal history, business interests, and modus operandi. Mug shot images of the individuals are included for most entries. Many pages have been annotated with updated information, including new addresses and death dates into the mid-1960s. Among the most notable names within the binder are Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Joseph Bonanno, Mickey Cohen, Frank Colombo, Vito Genovese, Paul Castellano, Frank Costello, Carlo Gambino, Sam Giancana, Felix Alderisio, Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante, Joseph Valachi, and many more. In very good to fine condition, with heavy wear and some splitting to the binder's spine.
Robert F. Kennedy is believed to have used a copy of this file while investigating organized crime as Attorney General in 1963, using it as a source to identify targets for the televised McClellan Hearings; at those hearings, Joseph Valachi became the first member of the Italian-American Mafia to acknowledge its existence, disclosing previously unknown information on the Mafia's structure, operations, rituals, and membership. An extremely scarce volume, another example was rediscovered and sold at Bonham's in 2011 for over $10,000.
