Exceedingly rare Christmas and New Year's card, measuring 9.25 x 5.5 open, signed and inscribed inside, "Your Dear Friend, Al Capone, Regards to Frank & Joe." The front of the card features a serene artistic portrait of the Virgin Mary cradling baby Jesus in a meadow, credited on the inside as 'Windflowers' by Margaret W. Tarrant. Encapsulated and graded by PSA/DNA as "MINT 9." In very good to fine condition, with light overall creasing and handling wear.
This extraordinary Christmas card presents the dichotomy of Al Capone—a bootlegging, bloodthirsty gangster on one hand, and tender, thoughtful friend on the other. He grew up in a Catholic family, and had attended a strict Catholic school until the age of 14—after that, he seems to have had little to do with the church. Still, Capone was known to be especially charitable at Christmas, delivering boxes of candy, fruit baskets, turkeys, and gifts to students and teachers at local schools, in addition to dressing up as Santa Claus for family and friends. The notorious gangster's autograph is scarce in any format, and this outstanding personal Christmas card offers a unique glimpse into his softer side.
