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Rocky Graziano's jailhouse file—an incredible, unique archive of over 45 documents primarily chronicling Graziano's legal troubles as a young man. This is a fascinating collection documenting the life and times of one of boxing's most colorful characters, highlighted by eight documents signed using his legal name, "Rocco Barbella"—the only known examples of this early version of his signature. Most significant are his original mug shot, fingerprint records, and prison intake questionnaire in which he defiantly declares: "I am going to be a Boxer when I get out."
Born Thomas Rocco Barbella in 1919, the legendary boxer is better known to the world as the heavy-hitting Rocky Graziano, a name he took to evade authorities after deserting the US Army. The pieces offered in this collection mainly come from an earlier, troubled time in his life, circa 1938, when he was arrested for petit larceny after breaking into a cafe to steal cigarettes, wine, and other articles valued at a total of $63. Within the archive are various police reports, court documents, and correctional institution correspondence related to the 19-year-old's crime and punishment.
The historic archive is highlighted by the eight items signed by Graziano, six of which are accompanied by full letters of authenticity from JSA:
- the original double-sided 8 x 8 New York State Vocational Institution fingerprint card of "Rocco Barbella," with one side featuring an affixed mugshot photo from June 28, 1938, detailing his personal information and criminal history; the reverse features his ten individual fingerprints in ink, with full impressions below. Graziano signs with his legal name and address in fountain pen, "Rocco Barbella, 141—1 Ave., New York City."
- two New York State Vocational Institution correspondence slips filled out and signed in pencil, "Rocco Barbella," addressed to his mother, "Ida Barbella," at her home in New York City, dated June and July 1938.
- New York Court of General Sessions sentencing document ordering Barbella to be sent to the New York State Vocational Institution following his "conviction by confession of Petit Larceny," endorsed on the reverse in fountain pen, "Rocco Barbella."
- New York State Vocational Institution four-page intake form filled out and signed by Barbella, incorporating his name "Rocco Barbella" twice within the text and signed once at the conclusion, also noting his alias "Rockey Bob," June 28, 1938, offering details on his crime and personal life. In the explanation of his crime, Barbella writes (spelling and grammar retained): "I am here for robing a store and a school and I and not glity for the crime. They frame me. Because the cops around my block do not like me. I sold a moovie camer in a shop on 3rd Ave. NYC and the cop got me in the store. I went to the Tombs an was out on Bail. and the cope come up my house and told me that I rob a store. which I do not know any thing about." He notes that the last school he attended was St. Ann's on 11th Street, and that he had worked for the WPA for two weeks before his arrest. He also gives the names of his parents, "Nick Barbella, Ida Barbella, 141—1 Ave., NYC." At the conclusion he requests assignment to "General Duty," explaining: "I am going to be a Boxer when I get out. So the hard work will get me strong."
- two City of New York Police Department investigation documents detailing the charges against Barbella, documenting his offense, criminal history, upbringing, personality, and other pertinent details, with an attached fingerprint sheet featuring original ink fingerprints of the prisoner, signed in fountain pen, "Rocco Barbella."
- New York State Vocational Institution Censor Authorization and Property Record document, signed twice in fountain pen, "Rocco Barbella," authorizing the warden to open his mail, and certifying that he surrendered no property on intake.
Following Barbella's release, he joined the United States Army but went AWOL, escaping from Fort Dix in New Jersey and starting his boxing career as 'Rocky Graziano.' He came to the military's attention after gaining some popularity under that name, and in 1941 finally turned himself in. He was court-martialed, dishonorably discharged, and sent to serve time at Fort Leavenworth, where he showed promise as a fighter. Graziano was eventually pardoned and given the opportunity to box by the Army.
He would go on to become one of boxing's greatest brawlers, known for his powerful knockout punch. During his ten-year professional career, he assembled a stellar record of 67 wins to 10 losses, with 52 wins by knockout. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and was named to Ring Magazine's Top 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time. A celebrity in popular culture, he made regular guest appearances on TV shows like The Martha Raye Show, Miami Undercover, Car 54, Where Are You?, I've Got a Secret, and Naked City. His autobiography, Somebody Up There Must Like Me (described by the Saturday Review as 'the blood-soaked autobiography of a happy hoodlum'), was turned into a film starring Paul Newman in one of his early roles.
The balance of the archive includes:
- October 31, 1934 - Carbon copy of Dorothy Stabler's letter to Dr. George W. Mills, outlining her knowledge of the Barbella family
- May 11, 1938 - State of New York Department of Correction Division of Criminal Identification record
- June 20, 1938 - Court of General Sessions sentencing document for petit larceny
- June 23, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution record of Barbella's medical history on admission
- June 23, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution psychologist's examination report, recording "dull normal intelligence with poor mechanical ability"
- June 23, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution discipline document recording Barbella's IQ as 81
- June 23, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution list of Barbella's relatives
- June 29, 1938 - Social Service exchange form
- June-July 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution record of visitors
- July 8, 1938 - The Brooklyn Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children letter regarding Barbella's family life and upbringing
- July 8, 1938 - Carbon copy of the superintendent's letter to the Registrar of Records, requesting a copy of his birth certificate
- July 22, 1938 - Certified copy of Rocco Barbella's State of New York birth certificate, signed by the Assistant Registrar of Records
- July 6, 1938 - Brooklyn Bureau of Charities letter concerning the family
- July 6, 1938 - Brooklyn State Hospital letter reporting that his mother, Ida, had been diagnosed with "Dementia Praecox, Paranoid Type"
- July 6, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution Warrant for Retaking Paroled Prisoner, ordering Barbella's return to the institution
- July 11, 1938 - Vocational Service for Juniors letter reporting Barbella's failure to attend testing appointments
- July 13, 1938 - City of New York Department of Welfare letter regarding the family and "Rocco's social mal-adjustment"
- July 21, 1938 - Coxsackie, New York Parole Department transmittal letters for paperwork pertaining to Barbella
- July 28, 1938 - State of New York Department of Correction letter granting a request to transfer Barbella due to his age
- July 29, 1938 - Carbon copies of the acting superintendent's letter to the court, indicating that Barbella's age had been reported incorrectly and he was six months over the limit at the time of his admission
- August 1, 1938 - New York State Vocational Institution Parole Department chronological history record
- October 14, 1938 — City of New York Department of Correction letter requesting a report on Barbella's personal and family history
- November 1, 1938 - Federal Bureau of Investigation record documenting receipt of his fingerprints and criminal history
- November 24, 1939 - Federal Bureau of Investigation record documenting receipt of his fingerprints and criminal history
- January 11, 1941 - New York State Vocational Institution carbon copy letter with reference to Barbella's rape charge
- January 16, 1941 - Federal Bureau of Investigation record documenting receipt of his fingerprints and criminal history
- May 13, 1944 - Medical survey for the Selective Service System
- Mary 27, 1944 - New York State Vocational Institution carbon copy of a letter briefly documenting Barbella's criminal history and time at the institution
- April 1949 - New York State Vocational Institution file copies of the Collier's article "Trouble Is My Middle Name" by Rocky Graziano
- November 14, 1955 - Carbon copies of letters authorizing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to photograph the New York State Vocational Institution in connection with their intent to film "the Rocky Graziano story based on the book 'Somebody Up There Likes Me.'"
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