Bank check, 6 x 2.5, filled out and signed by famed FBI agent and gangster hunter Purvis, “Melvin H. Purvis,” payable to News and Courier for $9.00, dated August 3, 1939. Light bank stamp and cancellation holes to check, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned original 1930s 5 x 7 studio portrait photo of Purvis; and a vintage 1934 8 x 6 news photo of Dillinger posing with Sheriff Lillian Holley and other officials at the Crown Point, Indiana, jail from which he later escaped. The Dillinger photo is one of his most famous and desirable images and many believe shows him giving a hand sign for someone to sneak a gun into him. The Dillinger photo is neatly trimmed with rounded corners and is professionally linen backed. The back also has the original paper caption tag dated 3-34-1934. There are scattered surface marks and light silvering otherwise fine condition. Purvis’ first generation photo is sharp and clean all around, and likely was used as a professional publicity photo. Purvis led the manhunts that tracked down Dillinger, along with Baby Faced Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.
