Original rectangular brick from the north wall from the garage on 2122 N. Clark Street, in Chicago, the scene of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Unique to Chicago, known as a ‘Chicago Common’ in the trade, the brick was made from local clay following the Chicago Fire. Brick measures 8.5 x 3.75 x 2.5, with a small paint notation to one side. Accompanied by a note of provenance from David G. Christensen, which states: “This brick was removed from the North wall of the ‘St. Valentine’s Day Massacre’ garage, 2122 N. Clark St. Chicago—during it [sic] demolition, Nov. 1976 [sic, 1967]” In fine condition. Accompanied by a hardcover copy of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre signed by author Bill Helmer and also a letter of provenance for the brick signed by Helmer.
This brick was picked up by David Christensen at the time workmen were tearing down the building at 2122 North Clark Street, the site of ‘Bugs’ Moran’s garage and booze depot at the time of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on February 14, 1929. The garage was soon refurbished and rented or sold to other companies, the last of which used it mainly for storage before it was razed in 1967. At that time a Canadian, George Patey, arranged with the demolition company to purchase and label the section of bricks from the building’s north wall where the shootings had taken place, and he later rebuilt it in the men’s room of his dinner club. In 1980, the here-offered brick was acquired directly from Christensen by noted gangland historian Bill Helmer.
RR Auction COA.
