Beautiful fine china dinner plate personally-owned and -used by notorious Prohibition-era mobster Al Capone and his wife Mae Capone. The Hutschenreuther ‘Royal Bavarian’ dinner service plate, approximately 7.75″ in diameter with a height of .75″, features a classic white ground with an ornate 24K coin gold hand-engraved pattern with a 14K gold foliate border that adorns the attractive celadon rim; Mae did her best to incorporate Al’s favorite light green color into many of his possessions, from clothing to dishware. The underside is stamped with the maker’s mark, “Royal Bavarian, Hutschenreuther, Selb, Bavaria,” and the caratage, “Hand Engraved, 24 Carat, Coin Gold.” In fine condition, with expected light surface wear, including light gilt loss and utensil marks consistent with occasional to moderately regular use. Accompanied by a photocopy of the Witherell's catalog description, which was originally signed by Al Capone's granddaughter, Barbara Mae Capone.
Provenance: University Archives; Witherell's Auction: ‘A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone,’ October 8, 2021; Al Capone's granddaughters; Albert Francis ‘Sonny’ Capone; Al and Mae Capone.
